Breaking News

This category is updated daily on interesting U.S. immigration news pertaining to family immigration, employment immigration and other immigration issues. The updates are meant to quickly keep our readers aware of the ever changing immigration laws and all the related aspects. For more information check our entire website on specific topics. Note that this blog does not cover all aspects of immigration news.

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What is in the New OPT 24 Months Program?

March 6 2015 - It is expected that on March 10 2015 the final rule on new OPT STEM extension will be released. The new rule was proposed under OMB Federal Register and is on it final stage. The rule is called "Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students". As you will see while the new rule will expand the STEM OPT time for students, it also comes with many strings attached especially to potential employers. Below we have outlined…Read More Breaking News

Does Premium filing of H1B visas have more chances of a Request for Evidence (RFE)?

March 5 2016 - Recently there is a lot of rumors on the fact that all premium filings seem to invite RFEs. Well while under observation it seems to be the case not in most cases, there is an "awful" number of cases which have been filed on regular processing then turned to premium and suddenly we see a RFE being issued. Please watch the video below, hope it helps.Read More Breaking News

10 Reasons why Indian F1 students are being Deported or Refused Entry in the US.

Lately we have seen a surge in F1 students denial. Many are asking why? The question is not easy to answer, however having spoken to hundreds of the students who are having F1 student visa issues as an immigration lawyer, I have come up with some of the answers: Many students are picking wrong schools. There are many 'diploma mills' school out there which while actually helping some students, are effectively undermining the genuineness of the F1 student visa program by overreaching in the curriculum including abuse of CPTs. Students are wrongfully abusing…Read More Breaking News

Using a B1 in lieu of an H1B

While the H1B Cap 'contest' is on for the lottery, many companies will not be able to bring their desired candidates because of the H1B lottery. As such it is good to look into options at an early stage. One of them is the B1 in lieu of the H1B. This visa functions like any B1 visa but is registered to allow certain employees to actually bring a specific foreign workers based on the B1 in lieu of H visas. Who can apply? Individuals may apply for a B1 or B1/B2 visa to…Read More Breaking News

Congratulations to our team for the National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval!

February 23 2015 - Our law firm received a call from a nice gentlemen who works for a big well known agency in the United States.  He believed that his qualified for Eb1(b) but was having issues to get a job offer with this agency. Since this person was born in South America, we realized that it will be easier to apply for a national interest waiver (NIW). 6 months ago we filed a NIW and today the case was approved and he will soon receive his permanent residence. Congrats.Read More Breaking News

Court Success Story from our San Francisco Office – Congratulations to attorney Oliver Foland.

  • Posted on February 19, 2016
  • /Under Asylum
Seemingly Hopeless Removal Case Ends with Client at Home with Family Brief Facts: The client, a young man with a troubled background was put into removal proceedings after his second criminal conviction. Though at first it seemed as though the case could easily be resolved through a U visa, an extraordinarily generous visa in terms of its benefits and waivers, at the initial bond hearing it soon became clear that the case would be very difficult, as the Government counsel pushed strongly for his detention and removal and the judge quickly denied any…Read More Breaking News

H1B 2017 Fiscal Year Cap Opening Soon – Be ready!

February 11 2016 - The New H1B Cap is opening on April 1 2017. Since we are expecting a lottery this year, we are advising our clients and potential clients to start signing up and preparing early. The H1B is becoming more and more difficult to obtain, from specialty occupation issues to end clients issues, placement companies (Consulting companies) are really struggling to make things happen for the H1B visa holders or those who are on OPT moving to H1B visa. A lawyer who is experienced in the matter becomes a must. We…Read More Breaking News

Senate Planning to cut H1B program by 15,000

December 14 2015 - Senator Ted Cruz is planning to introduce a bill which will actually cut the H1B visa program by 15,000. Right now the program has 65,000 regular cap and 20,000 masters cap.  This program is already over-subscribed in the past few years, the cutting of the H1B visa will be a major blow especially to students who came on an F1 student visa in the hope of getting a good job on H1B visas and ultimately live the American dream. In addition, there is a move to cut all OPTs…Read More Breaking News

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