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...
Answer The B-2 visa “stamp” is an entry document. As long as it is valid at the time admission is requested, one typically can be admitted for up to six months. If the I-94 is still valid, the expiration of the visa “stamp” has no impact...
Answer While an absence of between 6-12 months is not necessarily a breach in residency for naturalization purposes, USCIS is increasingly scrutinizing absences of this length. (11.Feb.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click...
Answer Generally speaking, yes, a person may present a valid H1B visa in an expired passport along with the new, unexpired passport to request admission in H1B status. (27.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online...
Answer Religious marriages in India are often considered legally valid under U.S. law. Therefore, you should register the marriage in India. Failure to do so may leave you without key evidence of the marriage for future immigration benefits. (21.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance...
Answer A prudential revocation under INA §221(i) is a discretionary action by the U.S. Department of State that cancels the visa stamp, often based on updated security or database information, such as existence of any criminal record. This typically does not end lawful nonimmigrant status for...
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...
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...
Answer If a person travels while an application or petition requesting a change of status is pending, the change of status request normally will be deemed abandoned and therefore denied. Such a denial typically would not retroactively result in a violation of status. (30.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and...
Answer In order to file an application to adjust status (form I-485), you must be in the U.S. at the time of filing. And, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to remain in the U.S. until and unless one obtains an advance parole (AP)...
