Changes Coming to SEVIS
Word comes directly from Murthy Law Firm attorneys attending the 2014 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Conference, in Boston, that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is...
View ArticleJuly 11th Deadline to Submit Comments Regarding H-4 EAD Proposal
Many foreign nationals are anxiously awaiting news related to the proposed rules that would make certain H-4 spouses eligible to apply for employment authorization documents (EADs). It remains unclear...
View ArticleSupreme Court Narrowly Interprets CSPA
The United States Supreme Court issued a long-awaited decision on June 9, 2014, interpreting the "automatic conversion" provision of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Unfortunately, the Court...
View ArticleProposed Changes to Form G-28
On May 19, 2014, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice to seek comments, for a period of 60 days, on proposed changes to the notice of entry of appearance as attorney or...
View ArticleUSCIS Announces Renewal Process for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided instructions regarding the process for renewing enrollment in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA provides...
View ArticleRequirements to Vote in U.S. Elections
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released statistics reflecting that over 700,000 immigrants naturalized to become U.S. citizens in 2013. The opportunity to participate in the 2014...
View ArticleU.S. Consulates in India Issuing Record Number of Student Visas
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India held Student Visa Day on June 19, 2014. A press release on the event notes that a record number of individuals have applied for student visas in India thus far in...
View ArticleNewsFlash! TSA Announces Enhanced Security Measures for Certain Flights to U.S.
On July 6, 2014, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that travelers boarding flights bound for the United States from certain airports with direct flights to this country will...
View ArticleVSC Piloting Double-Sided Printing for Certain Notices
The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center (VSC) has announced a pilot program to use two-sided printing for certain types of notices. The purpose of this initiative...
View ArticleNewsFlash! August 2014 Visa Bulletin Released, EB2 India and China Advance
Earlier today, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the August 2014 Visa Bulletin. Effective August 1st, the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for India will move forward to...
View ArticleAugust 2014 Visa Bulletin: More Forward Movement for EB2 India & China
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for August 2014 is now available. The August Visa Bulletin brings a continuation of forward movement in the employment-based, second preference (EB2)...
View ArticleTrends of New U.S. Permanent Residents in 2013
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Immigration Statistics, recently reported that over 990,000 foreign nationals were granted U.S. permanent residence ("green card" status) in...
View ArticleDOS Predictions: FB2A to Move Forward, EB2 India to Retrogress
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has announced that it will now begin to issue a report each month intended to provide reliable predictions and analysis regarding the movement of...
View ArticleUSCIS May Excuse Late Filings Under CSPA
The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an interim policy memorandum on June 6, 2014, containing guidance on a somewhat technical, but important, issue under the Child Status...
View ArticleStudy-in-the-States Portal Helps International Students
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has continued to enhance the Study-in-the-States web portal. The Study-in-the-States WebSite was initiated in 2011 to assist international students and...
View ArticleEnhancements to U Category Help to Better Protect Crime Victims
The U nonimmigrant category provides immigration benefits to foreign nationals who have been the victims of certain serious crimes. These individuals may be able to obtain immigration benefits under...
View ArticleOmbudsman’s 2014 Report Addresses Concerns with USCIS
The Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) 2014 Annual Report was submitted to Congress on June 27, 2014. The report details various deficiencies found within the U.S....
View ArticleNewsFlash! DOS Computer Crash Causing Delays in Visa Issuance
A computer glitch in a key U.S. Department of State (DOS) database is causing delays in the issuance of visas and passports at U.S. consulates around the world. According to the DOS, "[t]he Department...
View ArticleLeon Rodriguez Sworn in as USCIS Director
Leon Rodriguez was sworn in as the new Director of the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on July 9, 2014, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate in June. Director Rodriquez is...
View ArticleUSCIS on Request for J-2 Spouses to Work after Conrad Waivers
In March 2014, the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman recommended a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy change regarding the narrow interpretation of a provision...
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