IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD AND CITIZENSHIP

by Cyrus D. Mehta * Interesting issues arise under US immigration and nationality law when a child is born through in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to Wikipedia, IVF is a technique in which the egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the woman’s womb. The process involves hormonally controlling the ovulatory process, removing ova from […]

September 2007 Immigration Update

Headlines: 1. DHS Issues Final Rule on Employer ‘No-Match’ Obligations; Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Until October 1 – The amended regulation describes the legal obligations of employers relating to the unlawful hiring or continued employment of unauthorized workers. 2. Tips on Verification Compliance – Prudent employers should follow these steps to confirm that their […]

UPDATES ON CASE LAW REGARDING ТPORTABILITYУ UNDER INA ¤ 204(j) AND THE ONE-YEAR DEADLINE FOR FILING AN ASYLUM CLAIM

by Adam Ketcher* This firm regularly posts articles that highlight and explain administrative and judicial decisions that affect the immigration status or pending applications of our clients. Two such matters that are of primary significance to our clients are job “portability” under section 204(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”), and the one-year filing […]

EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA AVAILABILITY IN September AND October 2007

by Cyrus D. Mehta * After the July 2007 visa bulletin fiasco (See July 2007 VISA BULLETIN FIASCO: A POST-MORTEM), the Department of State has announced in its September 2007 bulletin that there will be limited visa availability in several of the Employment-Based Preferences. The current August 2007 Visa Bulletin shows no visa availability in […]

EMERGING ISSUES IN DUAL REPRESENTATION AND UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW

by Cyrus D. Mehta * This outline addresses emerging issues in two important areas affecting immigration practice: Dual Representation and Unauthorized Practice of Law. Although the two areas are unrelated, they are both very relevant to immigration practitioners, who may be interested in keeping abreast with recent developments. A. DUAL REPRESENTATION The practice of immigration […]

August 2007 Immigration Update

Headlines: 1. DOS, USCIS Reverse Policies, Release Guidance in Response to July Visa Number Debacle – The Department of State and USCIS reversed course to resolve the dilemma of tens of thousands of skilled workers who were left out in the cold by the State Department’s sudden announcement on July 2 that there would be […]

CONVERSATION WITH AN ФOUT OF STATUSХ ALIEN

by Cyrus D. Mehta* Alien: Am I being called an “alien” because I am out of status? Attorney: No. All non-citizens are called aliens. Even green card holders. Alien: My tourist visa is for 10 years. Why am I still out of status? Attorney: Your status is governed by the date on your I-94 card. […]

July 2007 VISA BULLETIN FIASCO: A POST-MORTEM

by Cyrus D. Mehta* The government’s sensible resolution of the July 2007 Visa Bulletin fiasco was met with jubilation from potential adjustment of status applicants who were earlier thwarted from filing. The August 2007 bulletin announced that the July 2007 Employment-based preferences, except for the Other Worker category, would again be current, and DHS further […]

July 2007 VISA BULLETIN CURRENT AGAIN

In a startling reversal of its earlier announcement, the State Department, in its August 2007 Visa Bulletin,announcedthat “Visa Bulletin #107 (dated June 12) should be relied upon as the current July Visa Bulletin for the purpose of determining Employment visa number availability, and that Visa Bulletin #108 (dated July 2) is hereby withdrawn.” Insofar as […]

DOL RULE AGAINST SUBSTITUTIONS TAKES EFFECT ON July 16, 2007

by Cyrus D. Mehta* The Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule to “enhance program integrity and reduce the incentives and opportunities for fraud and abuse related to the permanent employment of aliens in the United States” takes effect on July 16, 2007. See 72 Fed. Reg. 27,903-27,947 (May 17, 2007). The provisions apply to permanent […]