If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (commonly referred to as a “green card holder”), and wish to sponsor a relative for a family-based green card, you normally file the petition for alien relative (form I-130) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration...
The USCIS recently expanded online filing options to allow certain immigration forms to be submitted as completed PDFs, rather than requiring applicants to manually enter information into an online form. This change offers greater flexibility for some applicants, but it also comes with important caveats...
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...
A federal district court has ruled that the substantial fee increases for EB5 immigrant investor applications implemented in April 2024 were unlawful. The court found that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) raised fees without completing a mandatory fee study required by the EB5 Reform...
Answer Normally, a person may remain in the U.S. based on a pending I-485 application. If the H1B worker is laid off, it likely will be necessary to stop working until the EAD is issued (or an H1B change of employer petition is filed). (19.Nov.2025)Sheela Murthy...
Answer The EB1(a) category is reserved for foreign nationals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. A PhD is not required to qualify, nor is a PhD sufficient. While having a PhD is a notable accomplishment, it does not automatically...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed eliminating the current regulations used to decide if an immigrant is likely to become a "public charge.” A foreign national who is considered likely to become a public charge is inadmissible, and therefore will not be...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. There is a bit of forward movement since the previous month's bulletin. All cutoff dates listed below refer to the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise specified. Visa Bulletin Summary Employment-Based, First...
On November 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced filing accommodations for employers affected by the suspension of OFLC operations during the government shutdown of 2025. The OFLC ceased operations on 01.Oct.2025, and OFLC staff who officially were...
Answer If you solely wish to verify whether a PERM has been filed, it may be possible to obtain this information by filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Labor. (11.Nov.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...
