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12 Feb 2026

DOS Confirms China is Not Part of Immigrant Visa Processing Pause

Per the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has confirmed that China is not included in the 75-country immigrant visa processing pause that took effect 21.Jan.2026. The clarification came after an erroneous alert appeared on the Travel Docs website causing...

08:34 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident
11 Feb 2026

I am a green card holder and wish to file for naturalization. However, I took a trip of more than six months to India within the last 5 years. Will this be an issue? 

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...

06:14 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident / Travel
21 Jan 2026

I had a religious marriage in India but did not register it. Instead, my spouse and I plan to register our marriage in the U.S. once we arrive. Is this permitted?

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...

13:55 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident / Travel
19 Jan 2026

Murthy Success: A Simple Solution in a Complex Immigration Journey

The Murthy Law Firm recently succeeded in helping a client obtain a green card through a marriage-based process, despite a complicated immigration history that initially appeared to present insurmountable obstacles. This client graciously granted permission for the Murthy Law Firm to share his story to...

09:45 / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / Success Story
14 Jan 2026

I need to get an English translation of a document that I am submitting to the USCIS. Do I need to pay for an official translation for this to be usable with the USCIS?

Answer Per regulation, “Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator’s certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language...

07:17 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident
09 Jan 2026

USCIS Premium Processing Fees to Increase, Effective 01.Mar.2026

On Monday, 12.Jan.2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to publish a final rule in the Federal Register that will increase the premium processing fees. This fee increase will go into effect on 01.Mar.2026.Per the final rule, premium processing fees that are currently...

14:22 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker
29 Dec 2025

USCIS Updates Photograph Reuse Policy for Immigration Benefits

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced updated policy guidance on 12.Dec.2025, regarding significant changes to its photograph reuse policy for immigration benefit applications. For the benefit of MurthyDotCom readers, a summary of the new policy is provided. Background on Photograph Collection Before issuing a secure...

09:22 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News
04 Dec 2025

New USCIS Guidance on Country-Specific Facts and Discretionary Benefits Requests

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on how country-specific facts and circumstances may impact the adjudication of discretionary benefit requests. Presidential Proclamation 10949 The new guidance follows the framework of the 04.Jun.2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949, "Restricting...

14:58 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Worker