09 Jun 2020

Is it true that President Trump is about to issue an executive order to stop all H1B filings?

Answer We have heard several rumors recently that the President will issue a proclamation as early as June 15th (or June 11th, according to other online sources) that would temporarily prevent foreign nationals from entering the U.S. in H1B, L-1, H2B, or J-1 status. According to...

05 Jun 2020

June 2020 Visa Bulletin Check-In

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Oppenheim is currently working from home, and therefore is unable to access certain government databases....

03 Jun 2020

My mother is in the U.S. in B-2 status, and her I-94 will expire soon. She has no way to return to India, so she is applying to extend her status. She will return to India as soon as flights resume. Will this prevent her from coming back in B-2 status next year?

Answer There is no set limit to the number of times a person may be admitted in B-2 status, or how many times their status may be extended. CBP officers at the port of entry always have discretion to admit (or deny admission) to a person...

03 Jun 2020

Now that premium processing services are returning, is it possible to request premium for an H-4 EAD application?

Answer No, the USCIS does not offer premium processing for H-4 applications or for EAD.  (03.Jun.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here. Copyright © 2020, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All...

29 May 2020

NewsFlash! Premium Processing Service Being Phased In, Starting 01.Jun.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it would resume premium processing service in phases, beginning June 1, 2020. Per the announcement, premium processing will be made available as follows.Effective June 1, 2020, the USCIS will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium...

28 May 2020

I read that the USCIS is going to resume in-person biometrics appointments soon. Does that mean the consulates are also being opened for visa appointments?

Answer The consulates are run by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), not the USCIS. So, the USCIS announcement has no impact on the consulates.The U.S. consulates across the globe likely will not all open at the same time. Rather, the U.S. consulates in each country...

27 May 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS Plans to Resume In-Person Services on 04.Jun.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) will resume on June 4, 2020. Per the announcement, the USCIS is following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control...

21 May 2020

My wife will soon be applying for an H-4 EAD. Does she have to wait until she gets the EAD to apply for her Social Security Number? Also, as an H1B worker, do I have to renew my SSN?

Answer No, the application for employment authorization (form I-765) now includes a section that allows a person to apply for aSocial Security Number while applying for an EAD. A person typically is only ever issued one SSN; that number is unique and remains associated with that...

13 May 2020

Updated Visa Bulletin Information and Predictions

During a recent virtual meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provided some updated information and a couple of predictions regarding the monthly visa bulletin. All predictions refer to...