Infosys Limited, an Indian company involved in consulting, technology and outsourcing, has agreed to a record $34 million civil settlement based on allegations of systemic visa fraud and abuse of immigration processes, and also agreed to enhanced corporate compliance measures. The $34 million payment made by Infosys as a result…
Back in 2011, the Department of Homeland Security had instructed ICE enforcement agents to refrain from detaining individuals at sensitive locations. This 2011 memo required ICE agents to have prior approval before going to certain “sensitive locations”, including schools, churches, and hospitals. The list did not include courthouses among its…
Back in June, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the DOMA case that granted same-sex couples federal benefits in states that recognize same-sex marriages. This decision also had a far-reaching effect on immigration laws that allows for same-sex couples to remain together in the U.S. by petitioning for their spouses. Our…
USCIS confirmed on October 23, 2013 that change of employment location within the same MSA does not require an amended H-1B petition. This is an important clarification from USCIS’ position on the issue was unclear. Under USCIS regulations, amended H-1B petition is required if there is a material change in…
When an applicant is facing the deadline to remove the conditions of his or her lawful permanent residency status, and the marriage on which the initial I-130 petition and conditional residence were based is on life support, deciding how and when to file the Form I-751 Petition to Remove the…
An eleventh hour deal was finally struck between Democrats and Republicans to reopen the government while they work out a long term fiscal budget for the federal government. The deal calls for the government to remain open until January 15, 2014 while Congress works on a long term budget over…
Can undocumented immigrant lawyers practice law in the U.S.? That is a question that some states have been considering for several years now. Recently, a bill was passed in California that now permits undocumented immigrant lawyers to practice law in California. Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 1024 into…
In recent news, despite the government shutdown, immigration reform is still on the minds of many who want that change to happen. Amid the political gloom of a government shutdown and the threat of default if a budget compromise is not brokered soon, immigration reform advocates are hardly basking in…
While immigration news of late has not been too positive with Congressional immigration reform being stalled while the U.S. government works on resolving its own budget situation, California recently passed a law that will have a positive impact on the immigration community. Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the Trust…
The “green card marriage based interview,” which both of the Petitioner and Beneficiary are required to attend as part of the green card process, should not be presumed as a walk in the park; it has the possibility of being a very intense and painful event. You can take the…