Pasricha and Patel, LLC was honored to be invited to contribute to New India Abroad's March Immigration News Publication. As part of the special feature, Attorneys Sheetal A. Patel and Clement C. Chang provide an overview of immigration updates and challenges in 2025. New India Abroad is a digital platform dedicated to keeping members of the Indian community well-informed on current events worldwide. Our attorneys highlight the U.S. immigration landscape and current events impacting Indian nationals. To view the article in its entirety, please visit page 6 of the publication: New India Abroad’s March Immigration Special.
BlogPasricha & Patel
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Title Vesting
Categories: Commercial , Real Estate , Residential , Title
When purchasing real estate, it is essential to understand the various ways one can hold title to a property, a concept also known as title vesting. Title vesting memorializes the legal rights and obligations concerning one’s property and can significantly impact future decisions, such as selling or transferring ownership of that property.
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USCIS Sets April 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Employment-Based Visa , Family-Based Visa , Immigration , USCIS , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
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Annual Limit Reached in the EB-4 Category: What This Means for Immigrants and Employers
Categories: EB-4 Visa , Fiscal Year 2025 , Immigration Law , Visa Cap
The United States Department of State (DOS) announced on February 28, 2025, that all available immigrant visas in the Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) category have been issued and exhausted for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This significant development affects various special immigrants, religious workers, and other qualified individuals who fall under this visa category.
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Enforcement of Alien Registration Requirements Under President Trump's Executive Order
Categories: alien registration , Immigration Policy , Trump executive order
In late January of 2025, President Trump issued the "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" executive order, which has significant implications for non-citizens residing in the United States. This executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enforce compliance with the alien registration requirements under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
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Understanding Transfer Restrictions in a Shareholders’ Agreement
Categories: Attorneys , Corporate Law , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Advice , Legal Services , Shareholders' Agreements , Transfer Restrictions
In closely held corporations, transfer restrictions on common stock are essential to controlling ownership and preventing unwanted third parties from acquiring shares of the company. Unlike publicly traded companies, where shares can be freely bought and sold on secondary markets, shareholders in a closely held private corporation often have stringent negotiated contractual limitations on how and to whom they can transfer their shares. These restrictions protect existing shareholders, maintain business continuity, and ensure ownership remains aligned with the company’s (and/or founder’s) strategic interests.
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USCIS Sets March 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Employment-Based Visas , Family-Sponsored Visas , Immigration , USCIS , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
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USCIS Announces Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period
Categories: H-1B , Immigration , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Advice , Registration , USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7, 2025, and remain open through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this registration period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS account online to register each H-1B beneficiary electronically and pay the associated registration fee ($215.00) for each registered beneficiary.
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USCIS Updates Policy on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions
Categories: EB-2 , Immigration , Immigration Law , Immigration Policy , National Interest Waiver , USCIS
On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy guidance to clarify how USCIS evaluates eligibility for second preference employment-based category for national interest waiver (NIW) petitions.
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District Court Judge Issues a Temporary Restraining Order on Executive Order Regarding Birthright Citizenship
On January 23, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order, blocking an executive order by President Donald Trump that was aimed to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants, as well as those who are here on temporary stay visas.
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President Biden Extends Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Hong Kong Residents
Before leaving office, on January 12, 2025, President Joe Biden announced the extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Hong Kong residents.
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USCIS Lifts COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants
Categories: Attorneys , Legal Advice , Legal Services , Startup Law , USCIS , Visa Bulletin
Starting January 22, 2025, USCIS will no longer require applicants for adjustment of status to submit proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination as part of their medical exam. Previously, applicants were obligated to provide vaccination documentation on Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to meet immigration health requirements.
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Updated Filing Procedures for Form I-140
Categories: immigration attorneys , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Advice , Legal Services , USCIS
On January 13, 2025, the USCIS announced updated filing procedures for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. These changes are in response to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implementing a new system for permanent labor certifications, known as the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG), which went into effect on June 1, 2023.
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Updated USCIS Policy Guidance for O-1 Nonimmigrants
On January 8, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy guidance that clarifies how USCIS evaluates evidence in determining eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability. This also includes adding examples of evidence for individuals in critical and emerging technologies.
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USCIS Sets February 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Attorneys , Immigration Law , Law Firm , Lawyers , USCIS , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
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New H-1B Modernization Rule
Categories: F-1 , H-1B Visa , immigration attorneys , Immigration Law , Law Firm , Legal Advice , USCIS
In December of 2024, USCIS announced a final rule that will be making significant changes to the H-1B nonimmigrant visa category. According to the USCIS, the purpose of said changes is “to modernize and improve the efficiency of the H-1B program, add benefits and flexibilities, and improve integrity measures” as well as strengthen “program integrity.” These adjustments will primarily affect H-1B specialty occupation workers, but they also include provisions that will have an impact on other nonimmigrant categories such as E-3, F-1, H-2, H-3, L-1, O, P, Q-1, R-1, and TN. Here are some key takeaways from the final rule.
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Current Status of BOIR Filing Requirements
Categories: BOIR , Compliance , Corporate Transparency Act , FinCEN , Legal Advice
The hotly contested Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) aims to combat illicit financial activities and promote transparency for businesses. However, legal challenges, including by Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc., have led to temporary halts in its enforcement, specifically pausing the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting (“BOIR”) requirements mandated under the CTA. Subject to certain exceptions, the BOIR requirements apply to most corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other similar entities created or registered to do business in the United States.
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USCIS Releases Updated Guidance on Evidence for International Entrepreneur Rule Applicants
Categories: Attorneys , immigration attorneys , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Services , USCIS
On December 12, 2024 the USCIS released new policy guidance to help people applying for International Entrepreneur Parole. This parole allows foreign entrepreneurs to stay in the U.S. temporarily if their startups are expected to grow quickly and create jobs. The addition of these new guidelines is to explain what types of evidence entrepreneurs should provide when applying. These changes are effective immediately for all new applications and any pending cases.
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USCIS Announces Updates to Case Assistance and Communication Guidelines
Categories: Attorneys , Business Immigration , H-1B Visa , Immigration Law , International Law , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Services
USCIS has updated its policy manual to make it easier for people to get help with their cases and provide feedback. These changes aim to improve the customer’s experience by making the process of managing cases and addressing concerns more efficient. The update also clarifies response times and provides new tools to help individuals interact with the USCIS more easily.
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USCIS Offers Flexibility During and After Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances
Categories: Attorneys , Business Immigration , Green Cards , H-1B Visa , immigration attorneys , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Services
On December 19, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an update to their policy manual that provides clarity on the flexibilities that may be available for individuals requesting immigration benefits.
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