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27 Nov 2019

I am in H1B status, and my wife and child are in H-4. My employer asked me to travel to India for three weeks to provide some training at the parent company. Can my wife and child stay in the U.S. for the duration of my trip?

Answer The USCIS may limit, deny, or refer for removal an H-4 dependent who is not primarily intended for the purpose of being with the principal worker in the United States. Further, USCIS officers may adjudicate applications for dependent stays in order to prevent an H1B...

10:20 / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker
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...

10:13 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
27 Nov 2019

December 2019 Visa Bulletin Check-In

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Following the release of the December 2019 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim updates predictions for some of the employment-based categories, as well...

09:48 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / Visa Bulletin
07 Nov 2019

I am currently working based on H-4 EAD. Can my company sponsor me for a green card under the EB3 category?

Answer Working based on an H-4 EAD typically would have no impact on a company's ability to sponsor you for a green card. As long as you meet the standard requirements, the company can sponsor you for an EB3 position. (07.Nov.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...

13:12 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker
04 Nov 2019

NewsFlash! Judge Temporarily Blocks Enforcement of Health Insurance Requirement for Admission on Immigrant Visa

On November 2, 2019, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prevents enforcement of President Trump's executive order that would have required a foreign national requesting admission on an immigrant visa to have qualifying health insurance. The rule had been scheduled to...

11:32 / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident
31 Oct 2019

My H-4 EAD is about to expire, and my EAD renewal application has been pending for three months. If I submit an expedite request and that request is denied, will it negatively impact my pending EAD application?

Answer In the current environment, the USCIS generally will only approve an expedite request if the person can provide a compelling reason and strong supporting evidence for the expedite request. That being said, if the request is denied, this normally should not negatively impact the pending...

12:09 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Families / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker
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...

10:02 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker
17 Oct 2019

I am a U.S. citizen, and I sponsored my brother for a green card a number of years ago. He recently got married. Can I now sponsor his wife, as well?

Answer In the family-based preference categories, the spouse and/or minor children of the primary beneficiary may also benefit from the single-petition filing. Normally, one does not need to file a separate petition for these family members. (16.Oct.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...

12:28 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
17 Oct 2019

My husband is working in the U.S. in H1B status. I want to visit him periodically, but I need to stay in my home country most of the time because I am still at university. Can I apply for an H-4 visa, even though my trips will be fairly short? Or should I instead apply for a B-2 visa?

Answer Normally, there is no issue with the spouse of an H1B worker traveling back and forth using an H-4 visa, even for short trips to the U.S. It is possible to do this with a B-2 visa, as well; but, unlike B-2 visitors, a person...

12:25 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Visitor / Worker