Hello Reader,
Happy Wednesday. ✨
This week, we've got something special: a message from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to the Open Atlas community ahead of the Summit. We've also got a legal win on the H-1B fee front, a proposed rule that could affect your F-1 pathway, and the AI role that's quietly becoming tech's best-paying job.
Let's get into it.
The Open Atlas Weekly Bulletin
First Circuit Keeps $100K H-1B Fee Blocked
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Proposed F-1 Rules Could Restrict the Day 1 CPT Pathway
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Why Forward Deployed Engineers Are Becoming Tech’s Hottest Hires
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You're receiving this email as part of the Open Atlas weekly newsletter. Immigration and global mobility can be complex. So every Wednesday, we simplify that by sharing breaking news, free opportunities, & latest trends. If you find value in reading it, forward this to a lucky friend. If this was forwarded to you, get your own here! Read all the past editions here. 💃 |
Now, onto the newsletter.
📗 Immigration desk: Visa news, options & updates
First Circuit Keeps $100K H-1B Fee Blocked
On July 24, the First Circuit rejected the federal government’s request to pause a lower-court ruling that struck down the additional $100,000 H-1B fee. The fee therefore remains blocked while the government’s appeal continues. For now, employers sponsoring eligible H-1B workers from abroad should not be required to make the additional payment, although the policy could return if the government ultimately wins its appeal.
🧑🎓 Admissions Corner
Proposed F-1 Rules Could Restrict the Day 1 CPT Pathway
A proposed DHS rule could replace duration of status with fixed admission periods of up to four years, require certain students to request extensions directly from USCIS and reduce the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days. While Day 1 CPT itself would not be eliminated, restrictions on school transfers and repeated degrees at the same academic level could make the second-master’s pathway significantly harder for students seeking continued work authorization.
💫Career Resources
Why Forward Deployed Engineers Are Becoming Tech’s Hottest Hires
Forward Deployed Engineers help businesses identify where AI can create measurable value and then build, test and deploy those systems inside existing workflows. The role combines the process knowledge of a consultant with expertise in models, APIs, evaluations and guardrails. With reported compensation ranging from $150,000 in base pay to as much as $1 million annually, it is becoming one of the most sought-after roles in the AI economy.
Full podcast links -
Apple
Spotify
YouTube
Why Forward Deployed Engineers Are Becoming Tech’s Hottest Hires
Cursor co-founder Ben Lang has started a public July thread where founders and employees are sharing startups that are currently hiring, along with their career pages and available locations. Job seekers can visit the thread to explore the latest openings directly from companies and discover opportunities that may not yet appear prominently on traditional job platforms.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren will be present at the Open Atlas Summit 2026 virtually. In this special prerecorded message, she remarks and reflects on her own background, discusses the importance of immigration to the United States and expresses hope for reforms that allow talented people from around the world to come to America and contribute based on their skills, achievements and merit.
Book your Summit tickets
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WEBINAR ALERT
H-1B to EB-1: A Faster Path to a Green Card
This free online session by Manifest will explain how H-1B professionals can explore the EB-1 category as a potentially faster route to permanent residency. Immigration attorney Lahaina Araneta McBeth will cover EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-1C eligibility, required evidence, self-petition options, priority dates, concurrent filing, premium processing, lawful status maintenance and common RFE risks. The session will be held on July 30, 2026, at 5:30 PM EST and is to be hosted by Open Atlas.
Register here
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👉 Want to put yourself in front of 40,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.
Until next week, stay awesome.
Yours truly,
Team Open Atlas 💙
💡 None of the information shared in this newsletter is meant to be legal advice. If you're looking for legal advice, speak to a lawyer.