05 Oct 2022

I am a U.S. citizen and am sponsoring my brother for a family-based green card. Will the pending I-130 prevent him from being issued an H1B?

Answer Unlike most nonimmigrant visa categories, the H1B category allows for dual intent. Therefore, a pending (or approved) family-based green card case normally would not impact a person's ability to apply for H1B status. (05.Oct.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....

05 Oct 2022

My employer filed an EB2 case for me, and I have a 2021 priority date. Given that I was born in India, it appears I will have to wait a very long time for a green card. I have a child with a medical condition and obtaining a green card would be especially helpful to provide him with more long-term stability regarding medical care. Is it possible to request that USCIS expedite my case?

Answer Although there is a process for requesting that a petition be expedited, this would be for the USCIS to adjudicate a particular case. Unfortunately, the USCIS cannot "expedite" a priority date becoming current. (05.Oct.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....

29 Sep 2022

My H1B is valid for a couple of more months, and I have an EAD based on my pending I-485. Do I have to maintain H1B status until the green card is issued?

Answer Ordinarily, a person may remain in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on a pending I-485 application. So, generally speaking, there is no requirement for the individual to maintain valid status while waiting for the green card to be issued.That being...

22 Sep 2022

My EB2 I-485 was approved a few days ago. My wife’s I-485, which is also based on my I-140, is still pending. My priority date will no longer be current in October. What happens if her case is not approved before October 1st?

Answer The USCIS generally cannot approve an I-485 if the priority date of the underlying I-140 is no longer current. Therefore, if your wife's case is not approved before October 1st, it likely will remain pending until the date becomes current again (or some other action...

16 Sep 2022

USCIS Implement Phase III of Premium Processing Expansion for Certain I-140 Petitions

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday evening that, effective immediately, it has initiated the third phase of expanding the availability of premium processing service for two categories of I-140 petitions that historically have not been eligible for premium processing. Specifically, the USCIS...