New Year's Commentary for 2002
Posted Jan 01, 2002

As the curtain closes on 2001, we cannot help feeling it is time to reminisce about the past and to ponder our prospects for the future. We look forward both with hope and trepidation at the coming year.

Year 2001 in Retrospect

The year 2001 has been trying for most of us. The 1990s saw the frenzied growth of the Internet and the technological revolution in which some of us were fortunate to have participated. In early 2001, the tech bubble was bursting and the economy was leaning towards a recession with the stock market crash in the technology sector of the prior year. Then, of course, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, resulted in a tragic loss of the lives of thousands of innocent people, leaving America in a state of shock. This exacerbated the softening economy into a downward spiral at alarming speed resulting in massive lay-offs in the U.S. and abroad. Post-9/11, we were spectators watching events unfold and laws being passed that could, arguably, restrict our freedom and liberties if too vigorously applied. While none of us wants terrorism to go unchecked, the USA Patriot Act, signed into law in October 2001, grants extensive power to our federal government to interrogate and incarcerate suspected terrorists with a very broad brush.

Our Hopes for 2002

We hope that the economy, which has already started showing mild signs of recovery, will continue to grow stronger in 2002. For most employment-based immigrants, the passage of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act (AC21) of October 2000 was a bonanza. As we continue to wait for the INS to issue regulations on AC21, we realize that the timeliness of that law, in a waning economy, could not have been a better boon. In a strange way, the delay of the INS in issuing regulations is a double-edged sword. INS Headquarters has repeatedly stated at various meetings that a good-faith interpretation and reliance on AC21 will protect a person from the INS' alleging non-compliance with the law. So the interpretations suggested by some attorneys and by the INS itself may help us out after all.

The Law Office of Sheela Murthy and You in 2002

Our weekly eNewsletter, the MurthyBulletin, suggests ways to help you maintain your legal, immigration status. It also interprets the goings on in Washington, D.C. and the INS in understandable layperson's terms. Also weekly, 150 to 200 participants log on to the MurthyChat, a free service offering a clearer understanding of the law. Those interested have the option of a real-time experience provided by our unprecedented chat format or reviewing the transcripts on our WebSite at a later time. In addition to chat transcripts, MurthyDotCom provides the most up-to-date information on U.S. immigration law and how it affects employers, employees, families, etc. Additionally, our experienced attorneys practicing exclusively in the area of U.S. immigration law, along with myself, intend to continue to focus in providing legal consultations and representation on various U.S. immigration law matters for your benefit and that of your family, friends and business colleagues, of the highest caliber for 2002 and beyond.

Announcing the Establishment of THE MURTHY FOUNDATION

The events in 2001 made us realize the fragility of life. In the fleeting moments given to us in this lifetime, we have an obligation to give back to our community and to the causes we hold dear. We owe a debt of gratitude to both the country of our birth and the country that has adopted us and allowed us to make a home and have a financially secure life. We have given some serious consideration to how we can repay both countries and the world community within which we operate. To that end, we are delighted to announce the establishment of a non-profit, charitable foundation: THE MURTHY FOUNDATION, INC.

THE MURTHY FOUNDATION is an independent, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization established by Attorney Sheela Murthy to locate and help a range of projects in India, the United States, and other parts of the world.

In order to make the most effective use of THE MURTHY FOUNDATION's resources, grant making will be focused and structured along these lines: In the U.S., THE MURTHY FOUNDATION plans to offer support to immigrants facing unexpected and difficult situations, to help with children's health and educational needs, to donate to disaster relief, and towards other worthy causes. In India and in other countries abroad, THE MURTHY FOUNDATION intends to further adult education and literacy, to help with children's health and educational needs, to support orphanages and old age homes, to donate to disaster relief, and to offer scholarships for education.

At the dawn of a post-9/11 era, we hope that we can help spread good feeling and warmth, to make a difference in the lives of others. The curtain for 2001 has been drawn and we await a better 2002 built on all our hopes, aspirations and deeds. We wish each of you, your families and loved ones the very best for 2002.

Happy New Year!

~ Sheela Murthy