The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a precedential decision on August 13, 2026, holding that a departure from the United States under advance parole is a “departure” for purposes of the three- and ten-year unlawful-presence bars. In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, 29 I&N Dec. 830...
On August 6, 2026, President Trump issued two executive orders addressing birth tourism and the recognition of U.S. citizenship for certain children born in the United States. The orders direct federal agencies to restrict immigration benefits connected to birth tourism and to deny federal recognition...
On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Alert revising its guidance regarding the evidence required with initial benefit requests and the circumstances under which officers may issue, or decline to issue, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and Notices of...
When an individual applies for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status (commonly, a green card) in the United States, certain family members also may qualify for LPR status as derivative beneficiaries. Such family members typically include the principal applicant’s spouse and any unmarried children under the...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule that would end duration-of-status admission for F-1 students and replace it with a fixed period of admission reflected on the student's I-94 record. As stated in the MurthyDotCom NewsFlash! DHS Finalizes Major Changes to...
Answer You may still have a conviction for immigration purposes. A conviction for immigration purposes can exist even if the court withholds adjudication and later dismisses the case, so long as the person entered a guilty plea, no contest plea, or admitted sufficient facts, and the...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the August 2026 Visa Bulletin. As fiscal year (FY) 2026 enters its final two months, the bulletin reflects limited movement across most employment- and family-based immigrant visa categories. While several categories advanced modestly, others remained unchanged or...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule in the Federal Register that replaces duration-of-status admissions for F, J, and I nonimmigrants with fixed admission periods. The rule is scheduled to take effect 15.Sep.2026, subject to the congressional review process and...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule rescinding the public charge regulation issued during the Biden administration, which has governed public charge determinations in adjustment of status applications since 2022. The new rule, published by the Department of Homeland Security...
A person living in the United States on a visa may hear terms such as “out of status,” “authorized stay,” and “unlawful presence.” Although these phrases can sound similar, they have distinct legal meanings. Understanding the difference can be important, because it may affect whether...
