President Seeks Input to Improve Entry Process into United States
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) have published a notice inviting comments on President Obama's request for a plan to improve the entry process...
View ArticleUpdated Guidance on H1B Eligibility for Nurses
On July 11, 2014, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum that provides updated guidance to adjudicators to determine whether a particular nursing position meets...
View ArticleLabor Certifications after Employee Layoffs
The purpose of the labor certification process is to protect U.S. workers. It is a certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that there are not able, willing, and qualified U.S. workers...
View ArticleDocument Screening for Applicants at U.S. Consulates
The process of applying for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas at U.S. consular posts abroad may raise questions of exactly what information is checked and how that information is gathered during...
View ArticleDOS FAQs on Visa Delays Worldwide
As reported in a series of NewsFlashes posted on MurthyDotCom at the end of July 2014, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) began experiencing problems with one of its key computer systems, the Consular...
View ArticleNewsFlash! September Visa Bulletin Released, F2A and EB2 India Advance
This morning, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the September 2014 Visa Bulletin. Effective September 1st, the employment-based, second preference (EB2) India category will advance to May 1,...
View ArticleSeptember 2014 Visa Bulletin: EB2 India, EB3 Philippines, and FB2A Categories...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the September 2014 Visa Bulletin. The employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for Indian nationals continues to move forward, but is expected to...
View ArticleDOL FAQ on Placement of Employee’s Qualifications for the Job Offered
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), maintains an online resource with frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the foreign labor...
View ArticleNewsFlash! USICS Director Provides Update, but no Specifics, on Proposed H-4...
During a public teleconference held this afternoon (14.Aug.2014) by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Director Leon Rodriguez provided a brief update on the status of the proposed rule...
View ArticleUSICS Releases Updated Charts of Pending I-485 Cases
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated charts indicating the number of pending adjustment of status (I-485) cases. This inventory of I-485 cases awaiting final decision by...
View ArticleDOL Issues FAQ on Familial Relationships
The frequently asked questions (FAQs) maintained by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) have been updated to provide some insight on the issue of familial relationships between the...
View ArticleGovernment Report: USCIS Electronic Immigration System is Inefficient
Since May 2012, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has endeavored to create a secure and paperless work environment allowing for the online submission of requests for immigration...
View ArticleInsights and Information Based on PERM LC Filings
In order to remain competitive and retain needed workers from abroad, U.S. companies often sponsor permanent residence ("green card") cases. Most employer-sponsored cases are initiated through the PERM...
View ArticleAnalysis, Predictions, and Trends: Sep 2014 Visa Bulletin Update
As reported to MurthyDotCom readers following the release of the August 2014 Visa Bulletin, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has begun issuing analysis and predictions on the...
View ArticleNewsFlash! Duplicate Biometrics Notices Issued in Error
Earlier today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advised the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that, in recent weeks, certain applicants for permanent residency who...
View ArticleH1B Transition Issues: International Travel
It is the time of year when many former F-1 students are transitioning to H1B status. We at the Murthy Law Firm have some thoughts regarding travel considerations for F-1 students who need or want to...
View ArticlePotential OPT Cap-Gap Problems After H1B is Denied, Withdrawn, or Revoked
Recent college graduates in F-1 status are sometimes able to bridge the time between the expiration of their optional practical training (OPT) and the October 1st start date of H1B status through a...
View ArticleDirector Rodriquez Testifies on USCIS Efforts for Improvements
On July 29, 2014, in his first appearance before Congress since becoming Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Leon Rodriguez provided testimony on broad range of issues....
View ArticleSEVP Quarterly Report on International Students in the United States
Each quarter, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) releases a report that provides key data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) on the makeup of international...
View ArticleCBP on I-94 WebSite and Travel History Access
On August 6, 2014, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) held a teleconference with Ms. Suzanne Shepherd, a representative of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), concerning the...
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