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15 Feb 2021

2021 Poverty Guideline: Impacts on Affidavits of Support

Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for setting federal poverty guidelines, which are used to determine whether an individual or family qualifies for certain government benefits. These guidelines are important in the immigration context, particularly with respect to...

12:14 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident
03 Sep 2020

I am a physician and have two years left to qualify for a waiver to my J-1 home residency requirement. I will soon be marrying a U.S. citizen. Do I still need to get the waiver before I can get a green card through my spouse?

Answer Normally, in order to apply for a green card through a U.S. citizen spouse, one would still need to obtain the waiver to home residency requirement. (03.Sep.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services,...

10:33 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Medical / Resident / Worker
27 Aug 2020

Immigration Benefits After Death of Qualifying Relative

204(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) governs the eligibility for certain continued immigration benefits to surviving family members through a deceased qualifying relative. 204(l) applies to the principal and any derivative beneficiaries of a pending or approved family-based visa petition, any derivative beneficiaries...

08:24 / Citizen / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / Immigrant Family / InfoArticle / Legislation / NewsBrief / Resident
28 Jul 2020

NewsFlash! Initial DACA and Advance Parole Applications to be Rejected, per DHS New Memo

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this afternoon that it will reject all initial DACA and advance parole applications either already pending or future initial requests, and shorten new renewals to one-year validity period, instead of the two-year period. DHS issued a Memorandum...

16:32 / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Legislation / NewsBrief / Resident
23 Jul 2020

My sister is a U.S. citizen. If she sponsors me for a green card, can I use the form I-130 to extend my H1B status beyond the 6-year max?

Answer No, one may not use a pending or approved I-130 petition as a basis to extend H1B status. (20.Jul.2020)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 © 2020,...

08:02 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / H1B / Immigrant Family / Resident / Worker
23 Jul 2020

I have applied to become a U.S. citizen and am just waiting to be sworn in. Once I become a citizen, how long do I have to wait to sponsor my parents for green cards?

Answer Ordinarily, a U.S. citizen who is at least 21-years-of-age is permitted to sponsor their parents for green cards. Once the naturalization process is complete, there is no requirement that the person wait any period of time before initiating this process. (20.Jul.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior...

07:57 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident