The PERM labor certification is the first in a three-step process in the majority of employment-based, permanent resident (commonly referred to as “green card”) cases. Because of how long this process can take, foreign nationals studying in the United States often want to begin the...
This morning, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the October 2024 Visa Bulletin. Unfortunately, there is less forward movement than hoped for in this first visa bulletin of fiscal year 2025 (FY25). All cutoff dates listed refer to those in the final action chart...
The majority of immigration cases are adjudicated correctly by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other relevant U.S. government agencies. But there are situations in which a government agency makes an adverse decision on a case that is contrary to the law. In...
On August 27, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual related to optional practical training (OPT) for F-1 students. Below are the key points you need to know:A student may apply for a STEM OPT...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced that several employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories will remain unavailable for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 (FY24). A category that is unavailable is one for which all the immigrant visa numbers have been exhausted for the...
A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden Administration from continuing to grant parole in place under its Keeping Families Together program. As noted in the MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, USCIS Starts Accepting Applications for Keeping Families Together Program (22.Aug.2024), this program is designed to...
A student in F-1 status who has been granted optional practical training (OPT) may normally have no more than a total of 90 days of unemployment during the initial one-year post-completion OPT period. On occasion, the Murthy Law Firm hears from students on OPT who...
UPDATE: See NewsFlash! Federal Judge Orders Temporary Halt to Parole-in-Place Program, Posted 27.Aug.2024As was recently indicated in MurthyDotCom's NewsFlash! Filing Guide Released for Parole in Place Program for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens (16.Aug.2024), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began accepting applications for...
As the second round of the FY2025 cap lottery begins, it is important to note one avoidable reason for an H1B petition – or really, any type of petition or application – to be rejected by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is for...
UPDATE: See NewsFlash! Federal Judge Orders Temporary Halt to Parole-in-Place Program, Posted 27.Aug.2024Today, the Biden Administration released a filing guide for form I-131F, which is the new electronic form that soon will be used by certain undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply...
