Decades of Experience in Immigration Law.
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2020

Blog Posts in 2020

  • Judge Orders Government To Fully Reinstate DACA Program

    Late Friday afternoon, a federal district judge ordered the Trump administration to fully reinstate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Under the order, Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn instructed the Department of Homeland Security to begin accepting new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The judge also ordered ...
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  • New DOL and DHS Rules Set Aside by Federal Court

    On December 1, 2020 , a California District Court set aside the Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule intended to increase prevailing wages and restrict the eligibility for H-1Bs. The district court determined that the agencies did not follow proper rule-making procedures thereby violating the Administrative Procedures Act. At this time, it is unknown whether the ...
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  • Do I Need an Employment Immigration Attorney?

    When applying for a green card or an immigrant visa in the United States, you don’t need to obtain attorney's services. However, having an experienced attorney on your side can significantly impact the outcome of your visa application. Below we have put together some cases in which having an immigration attorney is beneficial. You're Unable to Figure Out Your Options As a skilled worker, you may ...
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  • Premium Processing Fee Increase Effective Oct. 19, 2020

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it will increase fees for premium processing, effective Oct. 19, as required by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, Pub. L. No. 116-159 , signed into law on Oct. 1. The USCIS premium processing service allows petitioners to pay an additional filing fee to expedite the adjudication of certain forms, ...
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  • Can I Still File an Adjustment of Status During COVID-19?

    Thousands of U.S. visa holders apply for an adjustment of status every year to obtain their green card and become permanent residents. However, the spread of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the U.S. immigration system. If you are a visa holder who is currently present in the United States, you might be wondering if you can still apply for an adjustment of status amidst the current health ...
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  • Common Immigration Questions Asked During COVID-19

    With so many immigration changes occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people have been affected in and out of the United States. Our team at Akula & Associates P.C. has been getting many questions about the recent changes and their impact on immigration status and visa applications. Our Dallas immigration attorneys have put together answers to the most commonly asked questions ...
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  • A Federal District Court Grants Injunction to Freeze USCIS Increase in Fees

    Several non-profit organizations filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS to prevent implementation of the USCIS Fee Schedule & Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements, 85 Fed. Reg. 46,788 (Aug. 3, 2020) (“Final Rule”) and to stay its effective date of October 2, 2020. The U.S. District Court for Northern District of California issued a nationwide ...
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  • H-1B Visa Application Process [Infographic]

    Filing a U.S. visa application can be complex and overwhelming. For such reasons, our team at Akula & Associates P.C. has put together an infographic that illustrates the basic steps to apply for an H-1B visa. If you need help applying for an employment visa, our Dallas immigration attorneys are here to help you. Get in touch with our team today to learn more about how we can guide you through ...
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  • How Long Does It Take for a Work Visa to Get Approved?

    Applying for a U.S. work permit can be an extensive and complex process. It’s important to apply for the visa that is best suited for your unique qualifications. Once you find the right employment visa for you and you obtain legal guidance for your application process, you have to wait to see if your visa is approved or denied. Our Dallas immigration lawyers explain how long it takes for a work ...
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  • Which Employment Visa Is Right For Me?

    The U.S. immigration system offers various work visa options for different foreign workers who want to seek employment in the United States. If you are interested in finding employment in the U.S., it’s important to apply for the visa that is best suited for your unique situation. With so many different visa options available, it can be challenging to determine which visa is right for you. That is ...
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  • What Are the Chances of Winning the Green Card Lottery?

    The chances of winning a green card vary depending on the participant’s country. Each world region receives a certain number of green cards. For this reason, it is difficult to determine the chances of winning. In 2017, nearly 19 million people applied for the green card lottery, and only about 55,000 people were granted a visa. According to the Washington Post, fewer than one percent of ...
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  • How Can I Get a Permanent Work Visa in the U.S.?

    Foreign workers can file a petition to be authorized to live and work in the United States permanently. It is important to understand what you need to be eligible and what you need for the application process. Our Dallas immigration lawyers explain everything you need to know about filing a petition to get a permanent work visa in the United States. Who Is Eligible for a Permanent Work Visa? ...
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  • How Can an Immigration Hold be Lifted?

    If you have been convicted of a crime as a noncitizen, you might be in an immigration hold. The Dallas immigration lawyers at Akula & Associates P.C. explain how an immigration hold can be lifted. If you need legal guidance with your immigration case, our team is ready to help you. Give our team a call today at (844) 299-5003 to schedule a virtual consultation. What Is an Immigration Hold? An ...
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  • Executive Order Temporarily Suspending Entry of Immigrants

    The proclamation became effective on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 11:59 PM (ET), expires in 60 days and may be continued as necessary. Who does it affect? The order suspends the entry of any individual seeking to enter the U.S. as an immigrant (resident) who: ● Is outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation; ● Does not have a valid immigrant visa on the effective date; and ● ...
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  • USCIS Announces Delay in Data Entry and Receipt Notice Generation for FY 2021 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that petitioners should expect a delay in data entry and receipt notice generation for fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions until at least May 1, 2020, due to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Beginning with the first day of filing, April 1, 2020, USCIS will not immediately enter data for FY 2021 cap-subject petitions ...
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