25 Sep 2023

Possible Government Shutdown as of 01.Oct.2023

Congress must pass a spending bill to extend government operations before October 1, 2023, or else a temporary shutdown of the federal government will go into effect. This would be the first shutdown of the Biden Administration. Annual Budget Process and History of Shutdowns The money needed...

21 Sep 2023

After being laid off from my H1B position, I filed an application to change status to B-1. Due to a personal emergency however, I missed my biometrics appointment. Does that mean my application will automatically be denied?

Answer If you do not take care of your biometrics appointment, your case eventually will be denied. Fortunately, you may be able to reschedule. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283, be prepared to provide evidence of the emergency, and hopefully they will exercise discretion and...

14 Sep 2023

At the end of 2021, I filed an EB5 case based on an investment of $500,000 in a regional center located in a rural area. My I-526 is still pending. Can I now make an additional $400,000 investment so that I fall under the new EB5 rural category? And would this allow me to then file my I-485, since that EB5 category is current?

Answer No. What you are proposing generally would not work. If you wish to fall under one of the new EB5 sub-categories (e.g., EB5 set aside; rural), you would need to make a new $900,000 investment and then file an I-526 petition (or I-526E petition, if...

17 Aug 2023

A few years ago, my sister, who is a U.S. citizen, filed an I-130 for me. I recently got an EB2 I-140 approved. Can I use the priority date from the I-130 for my I-140 case?

Answer Unfortunately, no. Priority dates cannot be transferred between employment-based and family-based petitions. (17.Aug.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright © 2023, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved...

14 Aug 2023

Department of State Updates Guidance on Material Misrepresentation Findings

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) updated the guidance for how consular officers should determine whether a misrepresentation made by a foreign national is to be considered "material." Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, if a foreign national makes a misrepresentation regarding...