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28 Jul 2026

I received deferred disposition for an assault / family violence citation. Since the case was later dismissed, do I still have a conviction for immigration purposes?

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...

09:20 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker
01 Jul 2026

A Simple Explanation of Lawful Status, Authorized Stay, and Unlawful Presence

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...

16:04 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Worker
09 Jun 2026

NewsFlash! DOS Launches Pilot Program for $750 Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Appointments

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published a temporary final rule (TFR) creating a new $750 fee that will allow certain business and tourism visa applicants to secure an expedited visa interview appointment. The TFR is effective from 01.Jul.2026 through 31.Dec.2026. The new service...

17:05 / B-1 / B-2 / Consulates / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Visitor
08 Jun 2026

USCIS May Now Deny Benefit Requests with Invalid Signatures

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an interim final rule giving officers the discretion to deny, rather than simply reject, a benefit request found to have an invalid signature after the case has been accepted for processing. Why this Matters Previously, requests with invalid signatures...

11:58 / Citizen / EB5 Investor / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Investor / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Worker
11 May 2026

MurthyAudio: CBP / Port of Entry Issues

Common issues that non-citizens face when reentering the U.S. after travel abroad are discussed by Murthy Law Firm attorneys in this podcast, broadcasted on 06.May.2026.The MP3 is available here and soon can be found in the archive of our podcasts and teleconferences on iTunes. Find...

07:21 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / MurthyAudio / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Visitor / Worker
04 May 2026

Reclassification of Medical Marijuana Offers Limited Immigration Relief

The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in federal drug policy, reclassifying state‑licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This action, taken by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pursuant...

10:49 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Worker
24 Mar 2026

I have a pending I-485 application for adjustment of status and decided not to renew my H1B and to switch to my EAD. Am I still in an immigration status?

Answer A pending I-485 application alone does not grant an immigration status but instead places the applicant in a period of authorized stay, which means the applicant can be present in the United States without accruing unlawful presence. (25.Mar.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance...

22:51 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker