Murthy Immigration Podcast

In this teleconference, Murthy Law Firm attorneys discuss the visa application process at U.S. consular posts overseas. They explore the latest trends in the visa process, including administrative processing, interview waivers, visa revocations, and more. They also provide tips and strategies for avoiding common problems and helping the process to go smoothly.

This teleconference reviews current issues and recent trends that may arise in Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (form I-140) process adjudications. The mechanics and mysteries of an I-140 filing are explained, including how to present an acceptable and approvable case to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Based on their experience with the I-140 process, attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm will share recommendations and insights for completing this complex stage on the path toward an employee's green card.

This teleconference focuses on good-faith recruitment of U.S. workers during the PERM labor certification process. In the PERM process, employers are required to make sure that there are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available for the work to be undertaken. Attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm discuss the recruitment process and discuss current U.S. Department of Labor trends regarding recruitment, specifically issues raised in audit requests.

The focus of this teleconference is recent trends in requests for evidence (RFEs) for H1B petitions after cap season. Attorneys from the Murthy Law Firm discuss issues related to CPT & OPT, right to control, specialty occupation, etc, and provide tips for preparing a strong RFE response.

Murthy Law Firm attorneys focus on one of the first steps in the PERM green card process: the prevailing wage determination. In the PERM green card process, employers are required to commit to a salary that either meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the sponsored position as determined by the Department of Labor. Murthy attorneys discuss fundamentals of the prevailing wage request and current adjudication trends, and provide guidance on how to overcome issues when seeking a prevailing wage determination for the green card process.

The focuses of this teleconference is investigations of employers of foreign workers by U.S. federal agencies. The past several years have seen increased investigations of foreign workers and more cooperation and information sharing between the federal agencies. Immigration enforcement, reform, and protections for U.S. workers are topics of interest. Murthy Law Firm attorneys unpack complex workplace enforcement issues and discuss strategies and tips for avoiding violations, proper internal auditing, and other best practices.

The new final rule for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students with certain STEM degrees is scheduled to go into effect on May 10, 2016. In the May 4, 2016 teleconference, Murthy Law Firm attorneys discuss some important aspects of this new rule and what the changes mean for employers.

The hidden perils of the PERM labor certification process, as it relates to the completion of the ETA 9089 form, are discussed in the April 6, 2016 teleconference. Murthy Law Firm attorneys explain some of the issues commonly encountered by employers when preparing the form, and offer tips for the successful completion of the ETA 9089 labor certification application, including being prepared for an audit.

An overview of the immigration regulations and policy guidance governing F-1 nonimmigrant status, as it pertains to employment, and transitioning to H1B status is provided in this teleconference from March 3, 2016. These rules govern most common scenarios frequently encountered by companies employing F-1 students pursuant to Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), as well as sponsoring F-1 students for H1B status. Murthy attorneys explain the importance of becoming familiar with F-1 processes and procedures to avoid and/or address potential problems before they arise.

Murthy Law Firm attorneys discuss the FY2016 H1B cap season in this February 3, 2016 teleconference. Included topics are issues related to transitioning from F-1 to H1B, USCIS quota and fee requirements, and matters important to IT companies with workers at third-party sites.