December 2023 Visa Bulletin
This afternoon, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the December 2023 Visa Bulletin. The last visa bulletin of the calendar year sees almost no movement from the previous month. All cutoff...
View ArticleUSCIS Clarification on Discretionary Waivers of the J-1 Foreign Residency...
On October 24, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released guidance clarifying aspects of the two-year foreign residency requirement for certain J-1 visa holders. The policy...
View ArticleMurthyAudio: The Child Status Protection Act
The Child Status Protection Act and its significance for dependent children obtaining their green cards are the topics discussed by Murthy Law Firm Attorneys in November 2023. The MP3 is available here...
View ArticleSummary of President Biden’s AI Executive Order
On October 30, 2023, U.S. President Joseph Biden issued a wide ranging executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) which, in part, calls for the expansion of immigration opportunities for highly...
View ArticleUSCIS Provides Updates for Special Immigrant Juvenile Petitions
On November 8, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective immediately, updates are being implemented to the guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual for...
View ArticleOverview of Temporary Protected Status
When conditions in a foreign country temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning home safely, the United States may designate that country for temporary protected status (TPS). TPS...
View ArticleU.S. Domicile Requirement for Family-Based Green Card Sponsorship
Most petitions filed for an alien relative (form I-130) require the petitioner to also serve as a financial sponsor for the intending immigrant. Among the requirements to qualify as a sponsor, the...
View ArticleMore Details Released on Upcoming Domestic Visa Renewal Program
On November 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) held a briefing, which included some updated information on the upcoming pilot program for domestic visa renewals. Per the DOS, the program,...
View ArticleU.S. Citizen Sponsorship of a Foreign National Fiancé/e or Spouse
In the United States, Valentine’s Day often brings with it an increase in marriage proposals. U.S. immigration law has long-valued the idea of family unity. And, to that end, a U.S. citizen (USC)...
View ArticleVisa Processing Updates for U.S. Consular Posts in India
There are two recent updates that impact how certain nonimmigrant visas are being processed at U.S. consular posts in India. The first update relates to a procedural change that impacts certain foreign...
View ArticleUsing Assets for a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support
Most family-based immigration cases require the petitioner to also serve as a financial sponsor for the intending immigrant. To qualify as a sponsor, a petitioner must demonstrate sufficient means to...
View ArticleJanuary 2024 Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the January 2024 Visa Bulletin this afternoon. There is significant movement in the employment-based, first preference (EB1) category, and far more modest...
View ArticleNewsFlash! H1B Cap Reached for FY2024
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that the H1B cap limit for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) has been reached. This applies to both the 65,000 regular H1B cap limit as well...
View ArticleMurthyAudio: Assisted Reproductive Technology
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), as it relates to green cards and citizenship, is discussed by Murthy Law Firm attorneys in the December 2023 podcast. The MP3 is available here and soon can be...
View ArticleSuccessor-in-Interest for PERM Labor Certifications
The PERM labor certification process can be lengthy for employers and employees. During the wait, a company pursuing a labor certification for a prospective employee may be acquired, merge, change...
View ArticleNewsFlash! Details of Domestic Visa Renewal Program Released
The details of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) pilot program to resume renewals of H1B visas from within the United States have been released, and will be officially published in the Federal...
View ArticleSanta’s Visa Options for Coming to Town on Christmas Eve
While scientists have been known to investigate whether it is physically possible for Santa Claus to travel around the world in just one night, they tend to overlook the legal implications of the jolly...
View ArticleCriminal Violations and Arrests in the Immigration Context
When individuals have a brush with criminal law, they are often afraid and, typically, very embarrassed. Such experiences generally are shared, if at all, only with those closest to the individual....
View ArticleAlcohol-Related Arrests Create Immigration Problems
The holiday season provides many with opportunities to have a good time, and a few drinks, with friends. Those who choose to do so should arrange for a designated driver or other safe, sober...
View ArticleUpdated Guidance on Family-Based Conditional Permanent Residence
On December 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the release of updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual relating to family-based conditional permanent residents...
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