U.S. Department of State Expands Social Media Vetting for Certain Consular Interviews

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has recently expanded its screening procedures for all student and exchange visitor applicants in F, M, and J status, which includes new and returning eligible applicants. As part of the expanded vetting process, F, M, and J nonimmigrants will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all social media profiles to “public” and consular officers have been instructed to review applicants’ full online presence. Currently, consular posts are prioritizing J-1 physicians and F-1 students at universities where international students make up less than 15% of the student population, seeking any potentially derogatory information related to ineligibility or indications of hostility towards U.S. citizens, the government, institutions, or founding principles. Please continue to monitor Immigration Insights for the latest government updates and contact immigration counsel to discuss current nonimmigrant screening procedures for incoming employees.

Annual Updates to Prevailing Wages Effective July 1, 2025 

On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued its new Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (“OEWS”) which reflect updates to geographic area definitions, occupational classifications, and professional recruitment standards. The updated wage data must be used when filing a new Labor Condition Application and all pending requests for Prevailing Wage Determinations (“PWDs”) will be issued based on the new OEWS data regardless of whether the PWD was filed prior to July 1, 2025. With the DOL’s reclassification of various metropolitan statistical areas and changes to certain occupational classifications, employers should carefully assess these updates and their impact on various occupation groups and geographic areas when preparing immigration proceedings.