This evening, the Trump Administration sent Congress a proposal for an immigration reform bill that would provide relief to 1.8 million "dreamers" (i.e. undocumented foreign nationals brought to the United States as children), while also providing funding for a U.S. / Mexico border wall and...
The February 2018 Visa Bulletin was released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) this afternoon. China sees some slightly faster-than-expected movement in the employment-based categories, but the rest is largely in line with previous predictions. This upcoming visa bulletin also includes some predictions for...
Answer In general, once a visa petition is used to obtain permanent residency (a "green card"), it cannot be reused. A brand new I-130 or I-140, with a new priority date, typically would have to be filed to reapply for the green card. (20.Nov.2017)In frequent sessions...
Answer Unfortunately, the priority date from an employment-based case cannot be ported to a family-based case. Any family-based petition would be issued a brand new priority date. (23.Oct.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that the more favorable 'dates for filing' chart in the October 2017 Visa Bulletin must be used for family-based cases. Unfortunately, as usual, only the 'final action' chart may be used in October for employment-based cases....
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a news alert, advising stakeholders impacted by Hurricane Harvey of the immigration relief that may be available on a case-by-case basis. Some of the types of relief that may be requested include:Changing a nonimmigrant status...
Answer A U.S. citizen who is at least 21-years of age may sponsor a parent as an immediate relative. There is no numerical limitation for this category, so it is not listed as a separate category in the monthly visa bulletins. (28.Aug.2017)In frequent sessions of our...
As reported in the MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, USCIS Denying Advance Parole Applications Based on Overseas Travel (10.Aug.2017) the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began denying advance parole (AP) applications (form I-131), in recent months, for applicants who traveled abroad before their respective I-131s were approved. In...
Answer This can definitely lead to the issuance of a request for evidence, because of the requirement that the parent-child relationship be proven. The USCIS will sometimes demand a DNA test in this situation. (21.Aug.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...
Answer Unfortunately, there is no visa category for the parent of a green card holder. Typically, to file for one's parents, one must first become a U.S. citizen and then file the petition in the "immediate relative" category. (07.Aug.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy...
