Sophie Zhang Teamat Reid & Wise · Immigration

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✦ Insights

Briefings & analysis
on U.S. immigration.

A small selection of recent posts from the Sophie Zhang Team's policy and practice briefings. Topics range from USCIS adjudication trends to lottery results, fee changes, and case-strategy guidance for founders, investors, and exceptional-ability candidates.

Case insight
A Critical Step for Academic EB-1A Applicants: The Hidden Standard Behind the “Three Out of Ten” Checklist
FY2025 EB-1A approvals fell quarter by quarter while RFEs climbed. Meeting three of ten criteria no longer wins the case: the Final Merits step asks what the record proves as a whole. What academic applicants must show about original contributions of major significance.
August 14, 2026
Guide
Compelling Circumstances EAD: What H-1B Employees Facing a Layoff Need to Know
Lost your H-1B job while stuck in the green card backlog? The Compelling Circumstances EAD can keep you working, but job loss alone rarely qualifies and approval carries real trade-offs. Here is who qualifies, what counts as compelling, and what happens after.
August 13, 2026
Case insight
Beyond Dhanasar: Scrutinizing NIW Trends
Explore how EB-2 NIW petitions are evaluated beyond the Dhanasar three-prong test, including national-importance trends, evidence standards, common weaknesses, and practical ways to strengthen a self-sponsored green card case.
July 2, 2026
Regulatory update
USCIS Tightens Discretionary Review of I-485 Applications: How Should Applicants Respond?
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued a new policy memo tightening discretionary review of I-485 adjustment applications, raising new risks for green card applicants in the U.S.
May 31, 2026
Case insight
EB-5 Price Increase Ahead: Key Takeaways from the 2026 IIUSA Summit
The EB-5 investment threshold may rise to about $975,000, while the grandfathering protection window is counting down.
May 16, 2026

These summaries are general; your circumstances may differ. For situation-specific advice, please reach out.

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