The U.S. Department of State (DOS) November 2012 Visa Bulletin carries good news for the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for all countries except India and China. This summary and analysis of the November 2012 Visa Bulletin is prepared by the Murthy Law Firm for...
The I-94 card system is undergoing the automation process by he U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Eventually, this will lead to the end of paper I-94 cards for foreign national travelers. Delays in I-94 data entry are creating problems in the widely-used E-Verify system...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new filing option for Canadian TN applicants. As of October 1, 2012, it became possible for employers to file the petition seeking TN classification for eligible Canadians who are outside of the United States (Form I-129)....
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on October 1, 2012 that some case processing work will be transferred from USCIS service centers to local USCIS field offices and the National Benefits Center (NBC). As a result, foreign nationals with pending applications and petitions may...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued correspondence stating that the relationship between long-term, same-sex partners will be recognized as a family relationship in a specific, limited context. The letter from Janet Napolitano, DHS Secretary, addressed the term family relationship as a factor...
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), released selected statistics for fiscal year 2012 (FY12). The statistics provide insights into trends for employment-based, permanent-resident sponsorship. The DOL revealed data regarding the number of PERM labor certifications received, denied, withdrawn, and...
The President has signed legislation extending the expiration or "sunset" dates of four important immigration programs. These programs are: the EB5 (investor) Regional Center Program; the E-Verify employment verification program; the EB-4 Religious Worker (non-minister) Program; and the Conrad State 30 physician J-1 waiver program....
As we approach the season when many individuals and families travel abroad, our readers are reminded of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) policy regarding visa applicants with histories that include drunk driving or other offenses involving alcohol. The DOS guidance clarifies how consular officers...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Diversity Visa (DV) "Green Card" Lottery registration period for fiscal year 2014 (FY14) will begin on October 2, 2012. There are 50,000 immigrant visa numbers available under the FY14 lottery program. This program is available for individuals from specified...
The Murthy Law Firm submitted extensive comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in early September 2012, setting forth our concerns regarding several proposed DOL changes to the labor condition application (LCA), Form 9035. The LCA is required for all H1B petitions as well...
