Portions of two more volumes of the new online policy manual of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have recently been released. The additions deal with fraud and willful misrepresentation grounds of inadmissibility, and the availability of corresponding waivers. Purpose of Online USCIS Policy Manual In January...
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals filed by towns in Texas and Pennsylvania, regarding their attempts to locally enforce certain U.S. immigration laws. This means that the earlier decisions by federal appellate courts striking down the towns' laws will stand. Local Efforts to Regulate...
To provide clarity on an important issue regarding recruitment in PERM labor certification (LC) cases, the frequently asked questions section of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)'s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) was recently updated. In the frequently asked questions (FAQs), under the Recruitment Report...
A portion of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) audit plan for PERM labor certification (LC) cases was recently released. The plan describes tiers of cases that are more likely to be subjected to audits, and also points out some of the potential triggers that...
The Murthy Law Firm reminds readers that the H1B cap-filing season for fiscal year (FY) 2015 is drawing near. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting cap-subject H1B petitions on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Employers and individuals who have not made appropriate...
A Freedom of Information ACT (FOIA) request has led to the release of an internal, confidential memorandum from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS). The memo, dated June 3, 2013, revises USCIS policies related to detecting and...
The category of J-1 intern or trainee is sometimes overlooked as a useful option for individuals and employers. Many foreign nationals aspire to gain professional experience in the United States to enhance their long-term career opportunities in their home countries. These individuals may believe their...
Winter snowstorms and other weather-related problems can impact the operations of virtually any organization or business. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is no exception; nor are the courier and mail delivery services exempt from delays due to weather. The government recognizes that severe...
In mid-November 2013, attorneys from the Murthy Law Firm participated in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) DC Chapter Fall Conference as speakers and moderators for many of the informative panels. One particularly thought-provoking session, moderated by Sheela Murthy, was a U.S. Department of Labor...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a news alert on November 15, 2013, reminding those impacted by the devastation in the Philippines created by Typhoon Haiyan that certain forms of immigration relief may be available. This reminder covers a number of general provisions applicable...
