05 Dec 2019

I am a U.S. citizen, and I recently married a Canadian citizen who is here in TN status. We just filed her I-130 and I-485 cases concurrently. It now looks like her employer may shut down soon, so she would fall out of TN status. If that happens before the I-485 is approved, can she still remain in the U.S.?

Answer Generally speaking, if an I-485 is timely filed, a person may remain in the U.S. in a period of authorized stay based on the pending I-485. (04.Dec.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services,...

05 Dec 2019

My wife and I are in H1B status, and our 8-year-old son is a U.S. citizen. Can he sponsor us for a green card?

Answer Ordinarily, a U.S. citizen child cannot sponsor his parents for a family-based green card until he reaches the age of 21. (04.Dec.2019)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...

02 Dec 2019

USCIS Proposal for Substantial Fee Increase and Imposition of New Filing Fees

As previously reported on MurthyDotCom, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new proposed rule on Thursday, November 14, 2019, outlining significant increases for many U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) filing fees. The increases will result in a weighted average increase of...

27 Nov 2019

I am a U.S. citizen, and I recently filed a family-based green card case for my sister, who is disabled. Is there a way to expedite the process based on her disability?

Answer It is possible to ask USCIS to expedite an I-130 petition. However, unless there is a compelling reason, the USCIS is likely to deny such a request. More importantly, even if the request is granted, this actually would not resolve your issue.There is an extensive...

24 Oct 2019

DOS Rule on Determining Visa Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds

On October 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register, entitled Visas: Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds. Once this interim final rule goes into effect, it will greatly expand the categories of public benefits considered...

11 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction Against Enforcement of Public Charge Rule

This afternoon, a federal district court judge issued a nationwide injunction against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from enforcing the new public charge rule. The public charge rule had been scheduled to go into effect on October 15, 2019.The injunction specifically prohibits the...

10 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! DOS Amending Public Charge Rules, Effective 15 Oct 2019

On October 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will publish an interim final rule to amend the regulations regarding how consular officers determine whether a foreign national is likely to become a public charge, and therefore ineligible for a visa. This rule will...

10 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! New USCIS Forms with New Public Charge Rule Required as of 15 Oct 2019

The new versions of forms I-129, I-539, I-864, and I-485 were posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website yesterday. The new I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency) form has also been put up. These forms now include the updated public charge rule. The USCIS...

07 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! Health Insurance Required for Admission on Immigrant Visa, Effective 01 Nov 2019

On Friday, October 4, 2019, President Trump issued an executive order that will bar entry of a foreign national requesting admission on an immigrant visa unless the individual has qualifying health insurance, will have such health insurance within 30 days of admission, or "… has...