22 Dec 2025

USCIS Hold on Asylum and Benefit Applications from High-Risk Countries

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a policy memorandum, implementing indefinite policy changes to the processing of asylum applications and benefit requests from certain countries. The policy directs USCIS personnel to place holds on certain pending applications and conduct comprehensive reviews of...

10 Dec 2025

I have a pending employment-based I-485 application and recently married a woman in H1B status. Can she now file an I-485 based on my pending case?

Answer Yes, as long as the familial relationship was formed before your I-485 application is approved, your spouse normally can file as your derivative. (10.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access...

05 Dec 2025

DOS to Review Social Media Account of All H1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced 03.Dec.2025 that it will expand mandatory social media screening to include all H1B visa “stamp” applicants and their H-4 dependent family members, effective 15.Dec.2025. The expansion extends an online presence review requirement that previously applied only to student...

04 Dec 2025

New USCIS Guidance on Country-Specific Facts and Discretionary Benefits Requests

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on how country-specific facts and circumstances may impact the adjudication of discretionary benefit requests. Presidential Proclamation 10949 The new guidance follows the framework of the 04.Jun.2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949, "Restricting...

26 Nov 2025

USCIS Offers Online PDF Filing Option for Some Case Types

The USCIS recently expanded online filing options to allow certain immigration forms to be submitted as completed PDFs, rather than requiring applicants to manually enter information into an online form. This change offers greater flexibility for some applicants, but it also comes with important caveats...

26 Nov 2025

My husband is in L1A status and his current I-94 and L1A petition are valid through June 2026. When I traveled back from India a few weeks ago, I was admitted in L2S status through June 2027, which is my visa stamp expiration date. Is this an error?

Answer Yes, this appears to be an error made by the officer at the U.S. port of entry. An L2S spouse’s I-94 normally should not be issued beyond the L1A petition’s expiration date (although, an additional 10-day grace period beyond that date is permissible.) You should...

19 Nov 2025

I recently became a citizen of Canada, but my wife is still an Indian citizen. I wish to invest in a business in the U.S. and apply for E-2. Can my wife be granted an E-2 dependent visa, even though she is not Canadian?

Answer Yes, if your E-2 is approved as the principal investor, your spouse may be issued an E-2 dependent visa, even if she is not a Canadian citizen. (19.Nov.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online...

19 Nov 2025

I am in H1B status and recently got married to a U.S. citizen. We filed an I-130 and I-485 based on the marriage, and both cases are still pending. I may be laid off soon. If that happens, do I have to leave the U.S.?

Answer Normally, a person may remain in the U.S. based on a pending I-485 application. If the H1B worker is laid off, it likely will be necessary to stop working until the EAD is issued (or an H1B change of employer petition is filed). (19.Nov.2025)Sheela Murthy...