10 Sep 2018

Can two separate I-130s be filed for me at the same time, one by my U.S. citizen sibling and the other by my permanent resident parent?

Answer Yes, more than one immigrant petition can be posted on your behalf. The petitions filed by your sister and your parent should not interfere with each other and you can then obtain your green card based on whichever one becomes current first. (10.Sep.2018)In frequent sessions...

23 Aug 2018

MurthyAudio: Analyzing Latest Regulations and Policies, Part 1

The Trump Administration continues to push for changes to those in nonimmigrant status and the U.S. employment-based immigration system. Though legislative wins have been tough to come by, the Administration has had more luck reforming immigration rules through memos and regulations. Sheela Murthy leads a discussion...

13 Jul 2018

NewsFlash! New Memo Makes it Easier for USCIS to Deny Cases Without First Issuing RFE or NOID

This afternoon, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum that provides officers with more discretion to deny an application or petition without first having to issue either a request for evidence (RFE) or notice of intent to deny (NOID). This memo...

18 Jun 2018

In July, my priority date will be current. My wife is pregnant, so we do not want to do medicals for her right now. Is it ok for me to submit my medicals, but have my wife delay submitting her medicals?

Answer Normally, in this situation, one would simply submit the I-485 without the medical exam, or submit the medical exam with a doctor's notation that some of the vaccinations could not be performed because of the pregnancy. This can be updated at a later date. (18.Jun.2018)In...

31 May 2018

Legal Representation During Green Card and Naturalization Interviews

Lawful permanent residents (LPRs, or "green card" holders) applying to naturalize, and various different categories of I-485 adjustment-of-status applicants, are required to attend U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in-person interviews before their respective applications may be approved. Given the heightened scrutiny in the current...

07 May 2018

May 2018 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Short-Term Predictions

Most months, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, Charles Oppenheim, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. For the May 2018 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim only provides some very minor, short-term predictions. Family-Based Preference Categories For most family-based (FB) preference...

02 Apr 2018

My employer is currently sponsoring me for a green card. I now have a U.S. citizen family member who wishes to sponsor me for a family-based case. Can both cases be pending at the same time?

Answer Yes, you can have multiple immigrant petitions (employment-based and family-based) happening in parallel. The petitions do not interfere with each other and you ultimately should be able to file for adjustment of status, based on whichever case becomes current first. (02.Apr.2018)In frequent sessions of our...