On August 12, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not follow proper procedures when they created the STEM OPT extension regulation. Thus, the Court vacated or struck down the regulation, effective February...
... My DSO authorized an early withdrawal for me and told me that I needed to come back to school and enroll in classes within five months after the date of my departure. I came back just before a regular summer break, after spending three...
Murthy Law Firm attorneys discuss recent trends in visa applications, including fee increases and common issues that can result following a visa refusal or denial. They cover strategies for employers and visa applicants to overcome these hurdles and answer frequently asked questions about visa processing....
Answer Once the H1B petition is denied during the cap-gap period, and there are no USCIS findings of fraud / misrepresentation or F-1 status violations, you have 10 days of employment authorization and 60 days of a grace period in valid F-1 status. You must complete...
As of June 15, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) discontinued the online filing option for the application to extend / change nonimmigrant status (I-539 form). These changes were implemented due to USCIS updates to both the I-539 and the notice of entry...
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a final rule that will now make it possible for dependents of F-1 and M-1 students to study in the United States on a limited basis. Effective May 29, 2015, F-2 and M-2 spouses and children will be...
Representatives from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are cautioning foreign national students against falling prey to a new, sophisticated telephone scam. The scammers are targeting unsuspecting F-1 and M-1 students in the Chicago, Illinois area, demanding...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has the discretion to grant special consideration for various immigration benefits during times of natural disaster, civil unrest, or other adverse conditions in a foreign national's home country. To that end, in the wake of a series of...
Officials with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) met with representatives from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) on April 15, 2015, to discuss various topics related to visas. Some of the key issues discussed included visa revocations, misrepresentations by minors, and immigrant visa wait...
Historically, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been available to make corrections on I-94s issued at U.S. ports of entry that contain errors. Many such requests for correction are addressed during in-person visits to CBP deferred inspection units (DIUs). Now, the Houston Field...
