 You went to your U.S. visa interview expecting a decision, but instead, you were told your case was going into administrative processing under Section 221(g). Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. When you check your visa case status on the CEAC website, it just says: "Refused." If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many visa applicants experience long 221(g) administrative processing delays, often without a clear reason. The good news: you are not stuck forever — and there are ways to take control of your case.
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 Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will implement a major policy shift that changes where immigrant visa applicants must attend their consular interview. This update affects many families and individuals currently navigating the U.S. immigration process, and it’s important to understand how it may impact your case.
USCIS to Eliminate Paper-Based Payments: What Applicants Need to Know (Effective October 28, 2025)9/12/2025  Starting October 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will transition to electronic-only payments for immigration filing fees. This means applicants will no longer be able to pay with checks, money orders, or other paper-based methods, except in very limited circumstances.
 If you’re looking for a way to live and work in the United States—and you thought your only option was to find an employer to sponsor you—the E-2 visa might be the opportunity you’ve been missing. The E-2 visa allows you to move to the U.S. by investing in a business. You don’t need a job offer. You don’t need a big tech background. And you don’t even need to have a business idea figured out yet. Whether you're starting something new, buying an existing business, or joining a franchise, the E-2 visa puts you in control—and it gives your spouse the freedom to work independently too.
 On June 4, 2025, the Trump Administration issued a sweeping proclamation that blocks or limits entry into the U.S. for nationals from multiple countries. The June 2025 travel ban affects both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants, and may disrupt family reunification, study plans, job offers, or humanitarian relief.
 ***LATEST UPDATE: For a complete analysis of available options, exemptions and potential waivers, see our latest update here.
On June 4, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed a new presidential proclamation that imposes strict travel restrictions on nationals from 19 countries, including Iran. This policy, effective June 9, 2025, is part of a broader effort described as protecting the U.S. from foreign threats. However, the order has left many Iranian families with questions about how this ban affects their loved ones, visa applications, and future immigration plans.  ****June 2025 Update: See our most recent updates regarding the 2025 travel ban here:
****April 2025: As of April 8, 2025, there has been no new official travel ban/Muslim Ban by the new Trump administration. There have been leaks of potential versions of the travel ban that includes colored tiers such as red and orange. From the leaked documents, Iran among other countries is on the "red list" which means a complete ban on any and all visas. This is ONLY a potential DRAFT travel ban. There is no official ban yet. Therefore, visa applications from countries such as Iran, Syria, Afghanistan are still being processed. We will provide an update as soon as we have one. There has been no official or leaked documents mentioning a waiver process for this new ban. Based on our years of experience at ImmigraTrust Law with previous laws and bans by Trump, we can help you prepare based on what we have seen previously. Please be in touch with us regarding your case and potential strategies as things change constantly, and there are always windows of opportunities that can come up with various lawsuits that occur challenge the administration's use of bans such as the Muslim Ban on Muslim countries. ****November 13, 2020 UPDATE: Mr. Joseph R. Biden has been elected as the President of the United States. He has promised to stop the Muslim ban/travel ban when he officially becomes the President in January 2021. Mr. Joe Biden has promised to cancel the ban on the first day he is in office. This is great news for so many families that have been separated because of this unjust immigration policy. However, it is still important to be vigilant and realistic that these changes may take time. First, Mr. Biden might not cancel the policy right away. Second, there might be lawsuits challenging the policy change causing the travel ban to continue and be in effect for several more months, if not longer. Third, it might take time for the Department of State and embassies to revise their practice and implement any new policies adopted by the Biden administration. Therefore, if you are from Iran and/or your family member is affected by the travel ban/Muslim ban, it is important to know your rights and options in these challenging times. You can read our article below regarding travel ban waiver options, administrative processing, and strategies for following up regarding your case if it has been severely delayed. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help any way we can.  In 2025, immigration policies in the U.S. have shifted significantly, especially for nationals from Iran. These changes affect visa applicants, green card holders, students, and even long-term residents. With more scrutiny, delays, and restrictions across multiple immigration agencies, it is important to stay informed and prepared.
 **2025 UPDATE: With the new Trump administration, we are hearing even more cases of this law being used as a basis for extra scrutiny in cases. Therefore, if you have any military service from Iran (whether IRGC or not), it is best to consulate with an attorney to be prepared for the questions and potential delays in the process.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known as Sepah, was designated as a terrorist organization by President Trump in April 2019. This designation carries serious immigration repercussions for Iranian males who did their mandatory military service with IRGC or Sepah. There are some distinctions and options depending on whether you are applying for a U.S. immigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa and whether you are applying from outside the United States at an embassy abroad or whether you are applying for an immigrant benefit from within the United States, such as adjustment of status or citizenship (N-400/Naturalization). This article discusses obstacles and strategies arising from a case involving an IRGC mandatory service.  Are you looking to get a green card through marriage in 2025? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the marriage green card process, requirements, and tips from experienced immigration attorneys.
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Immigration lawyer Najmeh Mahmoudjafari, Esq. (ImmigraTrust Law) represents immigration law clients nationwide (all 50 States), globally and also in and around Orange County, including: Costa Mesa | Corona del Mar | Cypress | Fountain Valley | Garden Grove | Huntington Beach | Irvine | Los Alamitos | Los Angeles | Mission Viejo | Newport Beach | Orange | San Diego | San Francisco | Santa Ana | Stanton | Tustin | Westminster
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