U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director, Alejandro Mayorkas, addressed stakeholders in early February 2011 with a report on the agency's accomplishments in 2010 and projected initiatives for 2011. This overview of Director Mayorkas's address emphasizes topics that may be of special interest to MurthyDotCom...
The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico recently changed the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application procedures. As of January 10, 2011, applicant service centers (ASCs) will perform some of the visa application processing. Nonimmigrant visa applicants will apply through the ASCs prior to the visa interview...
MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers were provided with a three-part series of articles reminding them to check expiration dates related to their immigration cases. Readers should also regularly check another important date-related document - the monthly U.S. Department of State (DOS) visa bulletin. While many individuals...
A suggestion recently came to the Murthy Law Firm from a reader who plans to visit Arizona in the near future. We were asked to provide hints and guidance for foreign nationals planning travel to Arizona, in light of the controversial new law there that...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued an interim final rule on June 28, 2010 amending the fee schedule for consular services. This rule is effective as of July 13, 2010. These changes are, with limited exception, different from the USCIS proposal to increase filing...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a press release announcing the elimination of the paper arrival / departure form (I-94W) for travelers utilizing the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP is available to citizens and nationals from a specific list of countries...
The USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) recently addressed a question regarding the ability to obtain eligibility for an additional six years of H1B time after spending one year abroad. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) requested clarification regarding brief trips to the U.S. during the...
Many applicants for nonimmigrant visas are required to use a new U.S. Department of State (DOS) application form. The nonimmigrant visa electronic application (Form DS-160) is being phased in for use at consulates worldwide. It is currently required for visa applications at the consulates in...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued updated plans to expand web-based nonimmigrant visa applications. The DS-160 is a fully web-based form that will replace the current DS-156, 157, and 158 forms. The DS-160 is scheduled for worldwide implementation by April 30, 2010. This...
The New York State Attorney General's Office announced the shutting down of three New York businesses that had been providing fraudulent immigration legal services. Details can be found in an August 20, 2009 press release. This is reported to MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers to raise...
