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...
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 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...
The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule that replaces duration-of-status admissions for certain F, J, and I nonimmigrants with fixed admission periods, generally tied to the length of the program and capped at four years for F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors....
Answer Yes. USCIS is still requesting the $100,000 fee for covered petitions, and the fee remains in effect and collectible for now. Although the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the fee on June 8, finding it to be an unauthorized tax,...
For many F-1 students, selection in the H1B cap is welcome news. However, because H1B employment typically begins after the expiration of many students’ F-1 status or Optional Practical Training (OPT), a gap can arise between the end of F-1 employment authorization and the H1B...
