The Maze: A Podcast about US Immigration Law
Episodes
Episode 29: Pursuing both PERM and EB-2 NIW
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* What is PERM?* What is EB-2 NIW? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...
Episode 28: Into the Weeds on Visa Bulletin Chart B Movement
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After October 2025 Visa Bulletin is issued, no movement on cut-off dates for Chart B for November 2025 Visa Bulletin, then December 2025 Visa Bulletin...
Episode 27: December 2025 Visa Bulletin released
15 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[EDIT: This podcast episode has erroneously information on the November 2025 EB-3 cut-off date. I realized the error after completing the podcast. ...
Episode 26: The current state of EB-2 NIW (Nov 2025)
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* The Basics: EB-2 + NIW.* Matter of NYSDOT.* Matter of DHANASAR (December 2016).* Biden “force multiplier” memos (January 2021).* Pigs get fat, ...
Episode 25: Job Changes during the Immigration Process
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Job changes for people on temporary visas versus permanent resident (green card processing).* Job changes and priority date retention (I-140 approve...
Episode 24: An Overview on Family-Based (FB) Immigration
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* EB immigration (I-140) versus FB immigration (I-130)* EB immigration has EB-1 and EB-2 and EB-3 versus FB immigration has F-1, F-2A, F-2B, F-3, F-4,...
Episode 23: Does the start of FY2026 mean the end of Traditional EB Immigration?
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit webberimmigration.substack.com/...
Episode 22A: Visa Bulletin Analysis and Life Planning after Aug 2025 Visa Bulletin
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released. You can find it here.I have made a comparison chart from the July 2025 Visa Bulletin:The End Notes f...
Episode 21: EB Immigration Mid-Year Assessment
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast episode builds on an article I wrote with my colleague and law partner, Tom Oja, which can be found here.This podcast episode provides an...
Episode 20: International Travel Tips for Summer 2025
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I. U.S. Citizens:* Valid U.S. Passports;* Registering with the U.S. Department of State while abroad: STEPII. Green Card Holders (Legal Permanent R...
Episode 17A: Alternatives to the H-1B Cap
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* The H-1B Cap Lottery and Timing.* Alternatives to the H-1B Cap -* O-1* https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-m-chapter-4#S-C* L-1* F-1: ...
Episode 16: Birthright Citizenship
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* US Constitution -* Legislative Branch* U.S. House of Representatives* U.S. Senate — 100 Senators (2 x 50 states)* Executive Branch* Judicial Branc...
Episode 10: Anticipating U.S. Immigration Law in 2025
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Perhaps less chaos in Trump’s 2nd Term?* The Border* Deportations/Removals.* TPS and EADs.* Asylum Applicants and EADs.* Travel abroad.* Address c...
Episode 15A: February 2025 Visa Bulletin and USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Why is there a Visa Bulletin? H-1B cap lottery versus EB immigrant visa queue.* Visa Bulletin Cut-Off Dates -* Category (EB-1 versus EB-2 versus EB...
Episode 14: USCIS issues Updated Guidance on EB-2 NIW (Jan 15, 2025)
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* EB-2 versus NIW* EB-2 NIW research professionals versus EB-2 NIW entrepreneurs.EB-2· Master’s degree.* Ph.D. engineer who wants to open a bakery....
Episode 13B: Slow Your Roll! The Tactical Case for Non-Premium Process EB-2 NIW I-140s for Tech Professionals
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Green card not an option so you get an H-1B.* PERM is not available so you proceed on EB-2 NIW.* EB-2 NIW is not available.* What now?* AC21 Section...
Episode 13A: Premium versus Non-Premium Processing. Pros and cons.
11 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* EB-2 NIW (Matter of Dhanasar).* Premium processing is 45 business days and also an additional $2,805.00.* EB-1A (Matter of Kazarian).* Premium proce...
Episode 12: Suddenly Everyone has an Opinion about H-1B Visas
11 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Sriram Krishnan* Elon Musk/Vivek Ramaswamy* Donald Trump* Bernie Sanders* H-1B visas are temporary work visas for professionals.* They are not visa ...
Episode 11: Sriram Krishnan and the Missed Opportunity to discuss Visa Bulletin "Per Country" Limits
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
* Sriram Krishnan - Trump appointee* Immigration Act of 1990.* 1990s* AC21 (passed in 2000)* 2001 to 2005* 2005 Visa Bulletin backlogs start* 2005 PER...
Episode 9: F-1 Student Visa to Green Card: A Roadmap
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
* Why a Ph.D.?* Distinctive qualifications to find a job.* Opportunity to build qualifications for self-petition and O-1.* “Criteria for Demonstrati...
Episode 8: EB-2 NIW I-140 Denials for Software Engineers
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
* Matter of NYSDOT - 1998* Matter of Dhanasar - December 2016* Biden Administration Policy Memo - January 2022* Update on USCIS Policy Manual - Januar...
Episode 7: EB-2 NIW - Why You Are Probably Not Eligible
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
* Employment-Based immigration: * The Labor Market Test* EB-1 versus EB-2 versus EB-3 versus EB-2 NIW.* NYSDOT versus DHANASAR.* “Private Benefit.”...
Episode 6: Educational Equivalence for H-1Bs and other U.S. immigration categories
14 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
* H-1Bs -* What does the job require?* What education does the candidate have?* Three-for-one rule.* Indian 3-year degree.* I-140s -* EB-3 skilled wor...
Episode 5 of the Maze: EB-2 NIW Adjudication Standards as of December 2024
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December 2016: Matter of DhanasarJanuary 2022: Biden Administration Memo on STEM and EB-2 NIW* The Case of Mr. T - an IT Consultant with Subject Mat...
Episode 4 of the Maze: EB-2 NIW Update
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
1990: Immigration Act1998: Matter of NYSDOT2014/November: Jeh Johnson Memo2016/December: Matter of Dhanasar2022/January: Biden “Force Multiplie...
Episode 3 of the Maze: An Attempt to Explain the Visa Bulletin
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
* Either an I-130 petition (for FB immigration) or an I-140 petition (for EB immigration) can be filed at any time, all year round.* Either an I-130 p...
Episode 2 of the Maze: An Overview of U.S. Immigration Law
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
* Categories of individuals -* U.S. citizens.* Legal permanent residents (green card holders).* Asylees and refugees.* Non-immigrants (temporary visa ...
Episode 1 of the Maze: A Podcast about Immigration Law
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit webberimmigration.substack.com/...