Because a spending bill has yet to be passed, there is a possibility that the U.S. government will be forced to temporarily shut down, starting December 9, 2017. Such shutdowns are rare and there still is a chance that it will be avoided. But, in...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on November 20, 2017 that the temporary protected status (TPS) designation for certain nationals of Haiti will be terminated as of July 22, 2019. Under the Trump Administration, the DHS has announced the termination of TPS designations...
The Murthy Law Firm continues to receive inquiries from those concerned about whether the program that allows certain H-4 spouses to apply for employment authorization documents (EADs) will be altered, or even terminated. For the time being, the H-4 program remains unchanged. But, there have...
On October 20, 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report criticizing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Administrative Site Visits and Verification Program (ASVVP) and the use of targeted site visits. The report, entitled "USCIS Needs...
In light of the Board of Immigration Appeals decision in Matter of Ruzuku, which directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept sibling-to-sibling DNA tests as probative evidence to be considered in determining whether a qualifying family relationship exists, the U.S. Department of...
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recently clarified when pretrial agreements in criminal cases qualify as "convictions" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). In its decision in the Matter of Mohamed, the BIA determined that an intervention or a diversion program designed to avoid...
On September 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) revised its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) policy guidance to consular officers regarding "misrepresentation" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 212(a)(6)(C)(i). In particular, the DOS changed its policy on when a consular officer can...
On Monday, September 11, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Trump Administration, temporarily allowing the travel ban to apply to refugees who have a relationship with a resettlement agency. This stems from a June 26, 2017 decision by the Supreme Court to temporarily...
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is warning residents in Houston, Texas, of criminals in the area posing as agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The individuals are reportedly knocking on doors in the area and demanding that the residents evacuate, presumably to then rob...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a revised version of the employment eligibility verification form (I-9 form). Employers may start using the new I-9 now, and must use it beginning September 18, 2017. Background on Form I-9 U.S. employers and workers are likely familiar...
