January 2016 Visa Bulletin is out

DOS released the Visa Bulletin for January 2016, including the availability of immigrant numbers for "Application Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications." There was forward movement in the "dates for filing" and the "final action dates" for many of the family-based categories. In addition, there was forward movement in the "final action dates" for the employment-based, second preference category for India, which advanced to February 1, 2008, and for the employment-based, third preference category for China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. The "dates for filing" for the employment-based, third preference category…Read More Breaking News

President wants to Review the K1 visa program

December 7 2015 - President Obama has requested that the K1 visa program be reviewed. While it seems that the San Bernardino attackers had some sort of involvement with the K1 visa program, the truth is that the K1 visa is already strict and are subject to strict scrutiny. Penalizing innocents because of one case of situation is really unfair. We hope the government will actually be more realistic on the matter. As we get more information on the matter, we will update all our readers. In case you need help with any…Read More Breaking News

Chennai Floods and US embassies.

Our hearts go to Chennai where the flood has devastated an entire area. We do not have any news on how the cases which were scheduled in Chennai will be handle at the US embassy, however we are expecting delays and re-scheduling depending on the situation as per Monday. For all those who are stuck at the airport or with the visa stamping in Chennai, please be patient. Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is Closed The city of Chennai and surrounding areas in the south Indian state of…Read More Breaking News

Approval of Petitions and Applications after the Death of the Qualifying Relative under New Section 204(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

USCIS issued a policy memo implementing the decision in Williams v. DHS Secretary for all spousal immediate relative visa petitions under INA §204(l) after the death of a U.S. citizen petitioner. USCIS stated that it will follow the Williams decision for all cases, including those arising outside the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit. This memo partially supersedes the December 16, 2010, PM-602-0017, Approval of Petitions and Applications After the Death of the Qualifying Relative Under New Section 204(l) of the INA.Read More Breaking News

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 26 2015 - The Shah Peerally Law Group PC wishes all of you Happy Thanksgiving. Please do remember that thanksgiving is a special time where we do share. In a time of wars, difficulties and dangers, we ask all of you to share and remember the refugees who are suffering around the world.Read More Breaking News

Determining Whether a New Job is in “the Same or a Similar Occupational Classification” for Purposes of Section 204(j) Job Portability Purpose

This policy memorandum (PM) provides additional guidance to Immigration Services Officers (ISOs) for determining, with respect to the job portability provisions in section 204(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), whether one job is in “the same or a similar occupational classification” as another job. Specifically, this memorandum instructs ISOs on how they may use the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes and other evidence to determine if a new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification as the original job offer in an Immigrant…Read More Breaking News

Punishing the persecuted Syrian Refugees for the action of the Persecutors!

November 19 2015 - In fear of the Paris attack, Xenophobia has taken over the House of Representatives which are equating the innocent Syrian Refugees with that of their persecutors. The fear is not new. As said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said "We face a choice that will echo through history," He reminded lawmakers that the U.S. turned away Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939. "We must not let ourselves be guided by irrational fear." It seems that the Muslims are now the Jews of 1939. This is a sad day for…Read More Breaking News

Alert to U visa Applicants – Visa Cap Reached and VSC will no longer process I-918

November 16, 2015 - The VAWA, U, and T Unit at the VSC has notified AILA that it is not currently processing I-918 petitions for U nonimmigrant status, because all of VSC's resources are focused on updating the U visa cap numbers. As such, please note that members should not submit individual case liaison inquiries for I-918 cases at this time. AILA will update members as soon as the VSC resumes the processing of I-918 petitions.Read More Breaking News

Some States like Michigan, Alabama and Texas are refusing to take Refugees from Syria.

  • Posted on November 16, 2015
  • /Under Asylum
November 16 2015 - After the tragedy of November 13, 2015 in Paris, many states have stated they will not actually accept any refugees from Syria in their States. As expected and as stated in our article, Paris Attacks and The Immigration Impact – Immigrants Know Your Rights!", those States are well-known to be anti-immigrantion and any opportunity to fuel the "immigrantphobia" are always welcome. The question is how legal is this? Immigration is under federal laws, and as such once the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) makes a rule, the states have…Read More Breaking News