A very professional group of people working to help us out in all aspects. Their approach, quick response to queries and most of all their initiative and drive to follow up for us are fasinating. Their work definitely needs appreciation.
We got our 485 approval (07/13/02) and got that stamped in the passport from the local INS. There are no words to thank Rajiv S Khanna and his team. Diane, Leila, and Suman had helped us in each and every stage and more important thing is, they return the call in matter of hours. Very prompt and courteous in reply, and they are all highly talented. There were no unanswered questions and I would recommend Rajiv and his team to anyone. With their teams doing the process, I knew I am in safe hands. Thank you all.
My H-1B premium processing was done by the offices of Rajiv Khanna and his staff. He and his staff (Sirisha) were really helpful and I wish to thank them for the same. My overall experience: I feel he is a BRAND NAME in this business. "His name says it all"
Mr.Khanna is a great lawyer as without his help , I would not have my GC. He helped me at every point and replies e-mail instantly. I would highly recommend his services to anyone. Also Liele lehman has been great help. Thanks to the entire crew including suman bhasin.
It has been a very pleasant experience getting help from the law offices of Rajiv Khanna.They have been extremely helpful and efficient with our visa application and successful too and they continue to assist us through their website.Kudos to your guys who handled everything for us.Thank you.
Comments: Rajiv Khanna is an extremely competent attorney and I am extremely pleased by the service provided by his staff. I specially commend Diane Lombardo for getting things done quickly, efficiently and correctly. I would recommend this firm for anyone wishing to hire a lwayer for their GC process. Country of Birth of primary applicant: India Country of Birth of beneficiary: Colombia I-140 NIW Application received by INS on Jan, 13 1998. I-140 Additional evidence requested on April 23, 1998. I-140 Approval received on Jun 13, 1998. I-485 Received by INS on Aug 5, 1998. I-485 RFE sent out by INS on Nov 12, 1999. RFE was for employment letter, original geographical area of NIW approval and birth certificate. I-485 Response sent on December 7, 1999. I-485 Approved on December 23, 1999. Passport stamped on January 3, 2000 using courtesy copy (not original copy). Further, for those who are wondering how I was able to submit my I485 application in August 1998 when my priority date is Jan 13 1998, I qualify since I cross-charged my application under my spouse's country of birth.
I've just started my GC process with Mr. Khanna's firm. They are about to send my DOL LCert. While working with them since last few weeks, I admire there professionalism and dedication. They've been good at follow up. I was surprised how much Mr. Khanna has been involved. I think it will be a good experience down the road. Special thanks to Mr. Khanna, Rajiv Durgam, Miss. Suman and Ursla Jara.
I began my GC processing in October 1999. And got my LC done in December 1999. I really thankful to Mr. Rajiv and his team for their efforts. Now I am in process of filing for I-140. Mr. Rajiv and his staff is highly professional and very friendly. Working with him is absolutely hassle free. I never have to do any . Follow-up. with him as his staff do things very efficiently. Also Thanks to Suman and Leila as they are always helpful.
In June of 1998 I changed jobs, and moved here to Florida in July of 1998. I began filing for new H1 visas in May of that same year. It took Just under two(2) months to get our H1-B and H-4. Just recently (Dec. 1999) our application for Alien Employment Certification, through the Atlanta DOL was approved. We are now in the process of filing our I-140 and, once the priority date becomes current, the I-485 (adjustment of status for GC). My wife and I are extremely pleased with the results Mr Khanna has been able to achieve since we first started with him in Maryland. We have come a far way, and it is refreshing to know that changing lawyers was the best choice we have made throughout this ordeal. We continue to look forward to the high standard of work Mr Khanna is setting for his clients. ** Keep up the good work Mr Khanna & Staff **
The work was very well done in a timely manner. thank you
Thank you very much for the swift and efficient process. Hoping to use you guys again at a later date
I started my GC processing in Sept. 98. Rajiv and his team got my LC done in Apr 99. I filed my I-140 in May 99. There were some questions regarding the valuation of my degree and experience. But Rajiv and Fidelina went out of way and got second evaluation of my education done which fitted the case in the EB2/RIR category. My I-140 was approved on 7 Dec.99 and now I have sent my I-485 papers for filing. Thank you very much Rajiv, Fidelina , Suman and the entire team. They are very dependable team even in difficult times. I must appreciate the skill and patience they showed in getting my I-140 approved.
Thank you very very much Rajivji and Vijaybhai for all the help with my PERM process and finally it was certified on Nov 13th(PD 06/25/2014).
WASHINGTON — The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) deployed 14 additional field representatives to territories across the country this week. The field representatives serve as liaisons between the nearly 9,000 U.S. schools that enroll international students and SEVP. The program, housed within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), certifies schools to enroll international students and protects national security by overseeing those students for compliance with U.S. laws.
WASHINGTON— Due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. As a result, eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
I am working on H-1B. This week, I got my I-140 petition approved that was filed in EB2. I am Indian citizen born in India. My marriage is scheduled to happen in Jan, 2015. The girl is citizen of India and was born in Nepal. I have heard that after marriage, I would be eligible to file I-485 for both myself and my (then) wife, based on cross-chargeability rules. <br>
1: Is my eligibility to file I-485 (based on the birth country of wife) and its approval thereafter dependent on discretion of USCIS? If yes, does USCIS generally approve or deny such I-485 petitions filed on the basis of cross chargeability rules? <br>
2: Is there any reason due to which my wife and I would be denied from filing I-485 and there-after getting an approval of I-485 (leaving aside fraud matters)? <br>
3: My fiancée is yet to get her passport made in India. I found that my fiancée does not have her birth certificate from Nepal. Is a birth certificate the only way to prove location of birth? If she gets her birth certificate made now, Does the USCIS create issues about a birth certificate made so many years after birth? <br>
4: In my scenario (EB2 petition, primary applicant India born, wife Nepal born Indian citizen), How long (approximately) after filing I-485 would it take to get the green card?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujMQ79pgzX8
FAQ Transcript
I have a question on the unpaid leaves when outside USA while on H-1. I am on H-1 and recently went to India for stamping which was completed without any problem. I had paid vacation of 2 weeks, which I had already used and stayed in India for a month which is not going to be paid. My employer is saying these will be unpaid leaves and won't be running paychecks for these leaves and is mentioning that this won't be a problem in future as this is legal. I want to take legal opinion from you regarding what the law says in the above situation. <p>
1. If I am out of US on unpaid leaves and won't get paid, will there be any issues on my H-1 status in future for transfer or GC? <br>
2. If due to unpaid leave, W2 is less than the LCA, will it be a problem? If yes, what documentation we can show to USCIS to clarify to them why it’s less?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujMQ79pgzX8#t=1516
FAQ Transcript
If you are on H-1, sometimes people ask me, I want to maintain status even though I am getting laid off. Can I be on unpaid leave and does maintain status?
Does this impact EB-3 India wait times and also does this lift counting on family members/dependents for visa numbers /quota ?
Obama's Immigration Action plan could impact all waiting time for EB categories. We are not clear how far or how quickly. There is no indication that the method counting green cards will be changed to One per family, instead of one for each family member in an employment-based case. President has asked for recommendations for improvement within 120 days. We shall see.
I am on H-1B Visa, got my I-140 approved in EB-2 Category and waiting for the dates to get current. Based on Executive Action, shall I be given any EAD ? Or at least any other forms so that I can travel and need not go for Visa Stamping and all the additional paper work.
I have heard that there is a proposal to allow filing of I-485
Is this true ? - "If the ‘Schedule A’ application falls into the “EB-2” or Employment Based Second Preference category (the employer requires a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy or a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy + 5 years of experience), then the Adjustment of Status application can be submitted simultaneously with the Form I-140".
Concurrent filing is possible ONLY if your priority date for EB-2 is current, and not backlogged.
For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.
Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action:
1. USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization. That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.
2. Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:
a. Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;
b. Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs. USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field. USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.
3. Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).
4. Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the following parole program will help:
a. Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where:
i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR
ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research
5. Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the parole option above could be helpful.
6. Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify.
Mr. Rajeev Khanna and his staff simply superb. I think he is best lawyer for people dont have remedy for any Immmigartion issue. I am really impressed and appreciated his expertise in Immigartion issue. I talked to him on the phone but feel like I am taking to him personally. He is so clear and spontaneous on any Immigration issue. Thanks lot....