NewsBrief Archives - Murthy Law Firm

12 Mar 2026

USCIS Hold and Review of Benefit Applications for Nationals of High-Risk Countries

On January 1, 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194, directing all agency personnel to place an adjudicative hold on pending benefit applications filed by or for nationals of countries listed in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998, Restricting and Limiting...

19 Feb 2026

DOS Provides Consolidated Guidance on B-1 Visas

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued new public guidance clarifying how the B-1 business visitor category may be used, and where its limits lie, in the context of short-term business travel to the United States. The “FACT SHEET: U.S. Business Visas (B-1) and...

09:13 / For Employers / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Travel

16 Feb 2026

New Executive Order on Information Sharing and the Visa Waiver Program

On 06.Feb.2026, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14385, "Protecting the National Security and Welfare of the United States and its Citizens from Criminal Actors and Other Public Safety Threats." This order establishes new policies for information sharing between U.S. agencies and foreign governments, with...

12:45 / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Travel

14 Jan 2026

DOS Pausing Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries

In a significant development for international travel, a U.S. Department of State (DOS) memorandum has revealed a plan to indefinitely freeze visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective 21.Jan.2026. This move represents a major expansion of the current administration’s immigration and border policies.According to...

13:16 / Consulates / Employment Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Worker

05 Jan 2026

Recent Changes and Requirements for Visa Waiver Program Travelers

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a pre-screening tool that most visa waiver program (VWP) travelers must obtain before boarding a flight or ship bound for the United States. While ESTA has been a fixture of VWP travel for years, recent policy changes...

07:53 / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Travel / Visitor

09 Dec 2025

NewsFlash! Sudden Spike in Prudential Visa Revocations

The Murthy Law Firm has received multiple reports indicating an apparent uptick in prudential visa revocations issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) under INA §221(i). These notices have been sent to nonimmigrants across several categories, including individuals who previously completed required medical and...

15:34 / Employment Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Travel / Worker

05 Dec 2025

DOS to Review Social Media Account of All H1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced 03.Dec.2025 that it will expand mandatory social media screening to include all H1B visa “stamp” applicants and their H-4 dependent family members, effective 15.Dec.2025. The expansion extends an online presence review requirement that previously applied only to student...

06:54 / Consulates / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / H-4 Dependents / H1B / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker

04 Dec 2025

New USCIS Guidance on Country-Specific Facts and Discretionary Benefits Requests

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on how country-specific facts and circumstances may impact the adjudication of discretionary benefit requests. Presidential Proclamation 10949 The new guidance follows the framework of the 04.Jun.2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949, "Restricting...

14:58 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Worker

02 Dec 2025

Trump Administration Reportedly Intends to Significantly Expand Travel Ban

The Trump administration is reportedly considering adding ten or more additional countries to the full travel ban list. This comes in the wake of an attack on two members of the National Guard by an Afghan national who is legally residing in the United States.Currently,...

18:30 / For Employers / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Travel / USCIS News

24 Nov 2025

New Immigration Parole Fee Notice

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently sent notices to many individuals about a new fee requirement affecting certain individuals who seek parole into the United States. It appears that most of notices were sent to those with a valid parole document, but some...

08:04 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Resident / Travel / USCIS News

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