Answer This announcement by the USCIS is not a new policy, or any type of new benefit for foreign nationals in the U.S. It is merely pointing to provisions that already exist in the law. There has been a push to get the USCIS to provide...
Shortly after the results were released for the H1B registration lottery, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) received reports from a number of immigration attorneys who had received denial notices for some clients' registrations based upon the existence of duplicate registrations (i.e., more than one...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will not issue receipt notices or begin data entry for cap-subject H1B petitions until at least May 1, 2020. The USCIS further cautions of a general delay in processing cap-subject H1B petitions. Per the...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center (VSC) has reopened today, following a brief closure last week. The closure was the result of a possible case of COVID-19. However, the test fortunately came back as negative for the virus. Copyright © 2020, MURTHY...
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has received a number of reports from members that there was a possible COVID-19 exposure at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center (VSC), forcing the center to temporarily close. According to the reports, the VSC...
Answer Ordinarily, a person admitted via ESTA is limited to 90 days in the U.S., without the ability to extend or change status. However, under these unprecedented circumstances, there are some options. First, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has advised that people admitted via ESTA...
Answer Generally speaking, from an immigration law perspective, having H1B petitions filed by two different employers is permissible. (09.Apr.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...
Answer A return ticket is not required to apply for a B-2 extension. It can be helpful in many circumstances; but, given the COVID-19 outbreak, it seems unlikely the USCIS will make an issue of this. (09.Apr.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), which works exclusively for the United States Congress to provide nonpartisan policy and legal analysis, has released a report confirming that many nonimmigrants are eligible to receive recovery rebates (frequently referred to as stimulus checks) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has temporarily suspended offering in-person service at passport agencies during the COVID-19 epidemic. The only exception for this is if the applicant needs a U.S. passport due to a "qualified life-or-death emergency."U.S. citizens may still apply in person at...
