The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently confirmed that officers have stopped stamping I-20s at airports and other U.S. ports of entry (POEs). This information was first circulated in mid-August 2012 by NAFSA: Association of International Educators (formerly known as the National Association of...
Aware of the mounting anxiety among many of our readers, the Murthy Law Firm recently contacted the U.S. Department of State (DOS) seeking information regarding projections for cutoff dates under the October 2012 Visa Bulletin. The DOS advised that the October Visa Bulletin, which begins...
The USCIS issued a policy memorandum on July 23, 2012 detailing current policies regarding available accommodations for religious beliefs as it relates to immigration photographs and fingerprinting requirements. The memo makes it clear that, while some accommodations are available, the USCIS will not waive photograph...
In a recent conference call, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released additional information regarding the new deferred action process for certain individuals who arrived in the United States as children. Following is a summary of the most recent information available regarding this new program. Background: June...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for September 2012 is the final visa bulletin of fiscal year 2012 (FY12). This visa bulletin is far less eventful than those from earlier in the year. The contents, however, reflect prior events with ongoing unavailability in...
Attorney Sheela Murthy travels to India periodically to meet with U.S. consular officials on behalf of the Murthy Law Firm and our clients. Her next visit is in October 2012. Ms. Murthy currently has availability during this trip for representation of a limited group of...
The USCIS announced today that the agency is expanding National Customer Service Center (NCSC) hours to include Saturdays. Customer service representatives will now be available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in each time zone. The NCSC can...
Herguan University in Sunnyvale, CA is at risk for losing its ability to participate in the F-1 student visa program. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a notice of intent to withdraw Herguan University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification on August 2, 2012....
Many questions have come to the Murthy Law Firm in response to our NewsBrief, H.R. 3012 Hold Lifted: Proposed Changes to GC Quota System (12.Jul.2012). Readers have been contacting us seeking an update on the status of this legislative proposal. Entitled the Fairness to High-Skilled...
We at the Murthy Law Firm are pleased to report a successful outcome in an H-4 visa stamping at a U.S. consular post, after the individual in the case had received two prior denials of his H-4 visa applications. The H-4 visa denials were issued under § 214(b) of the Immigration and...
