I am very thankful to Rajiv Khanna and his team of professionals for their work on my employer sponsored green card case. All of the people from the firm I had to deal with in the process were very nice, always responded to the numerous questions that I had on timely basis. On a couple of occasions, I needed somethings done really fast in order to catch a passport expiration date and another deadline and Law Offices of Rajiv Khanna were there for me, handling my paperwork in the fastest possible way as requested by me. With their help and probably some luck I was able to complete the whole green card process from start to finish in less than an year. This time also includes three months during which the ball was in my court, while I was gathering different documents for the I-140 and I-485. I am very happy with the services of The Law Offices of Rajiv Khanna and hope this message can bring them more business, which they deserve.
We thank Mr.Rajiv Khanna and his team, especially Bharathi and Ursula for their professionalism and diligence in handling our case. We have successfully got our H1B and H4 approvals. Thank you very much for the excellent service.
With best regards,
George and Teena
Dear Rajiv,
I would like to say my BIG "thank you" to the Mathew/Aruna team. I posted message early after my I 140 was flawlessly done. Now finally I and my family reached very important milestone - we received our Green Cards in the mail. What I can say - the excellent job of the Rajiv's team and a bit of luck I got the whole process PERM-EAD/AP-I140-I486 for a little bit more that 8 months. Not a single RFE. Not a single hiccup. That can only speak of how professional all the paperwork was prepared. I HIGHLY recommend Rajiv's company. If you want to put your fate in good hands, you can count on this company. Always with good advice, with excellent open communication channels and ready to get in action to serve better its clients.
Now that my journey reached its final destination and there are new prospective on the horizon, I will continue to spread the word about this excellent company –
The Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khana.
Good luck to every one.
Signing out.
Nick
: Dear Rajiv:
I really appreciate the diligent work that you and your team put into my case.
The fact that we didn't get any RFEs for my I-140 and I-485 petitions, in spite of having my previous I-140 petition and the MTR denied by USCIS, shows clearly that you know the way to present material to USCIS so that it doesn't leave any questions/doubts in their minds that we qualify to stay in this country. I believe this is the result of your analysis of each case meticulously and preparing the supporting documentation according to the nature of the case, rather than following a cookie cutter formula like lot of other attorneys. I have seen my previous attorney do it and lot of friends' attorneys doing this. The standard statements I have heard so many times... "We don't need to submit that document now. We can submit that if USCIS asks for it". Forget about sending the documents to USCIS, they don't even let us know that we may need a piece of document and ask us to have it ready. Everything seems to be reactive, rather than proactive. No wonder USCIS takes so long to process some applications. They have to ask for every piece of information and at some point, they might even deny the petition for lack of clear evidence.
For all people who are going through the long and painful process of getting GC, there is only one advise I would like to give. Try to have a highly experienced immigration attorney like Rajiv on your side from day one. It is really hard to correct the mistakes done by other attorneys later. A petition filed with all the necessary paperwork, in the correct form and order will save you from a lot of heartache later on. Even if your company doesn't reimburse for the expenses, it's worth paying for it from your pocket.
And Rajiv, I would like to make a small suggestion to your staff too. While both my I-140 petition (re-filing) and H-1B extension petitions were being processed at the same time (during Dec 05 - Jan 06 timeframe), when your staff asked for copies of the same documents multiple times, it was getting on my employers nerves. The rant I kept on hearing from my company's HR people was, 'we just mailed/faxed them that document last week. Why are they asking for another copy again?'. Members of different teams didn't seem to have any idea that another petition is being handled by a person in the same office and that those documents already exist in another folder in the same office. A few small notes tagged to the files or consolidation of documents for each client might make the experience even more pleasant.
Thank you so much for your help and attention. I wouldn't even think of going to any other attorney for any future immigration related work I might have.
Regards,
Ravi
My wife and I received our GC approval within 10 months for the whole process with Rajiv S. Khanna as our attorney. We are very impressive on the professionalism of Rajiv. He and Diane helped us at every point in the whole process. The application is so smooth that we never get any problem or in completion about the paperwork done under their guidance. Great thanks to Diane Lombardo, who is always available and is happy to respond to any questions. Also many, many thanks to Kumuda, Rita, Lakshmi and other staff members who are very co-operative and would return calls and emails promptly. We are really glad that we chose this Law firm. We are greatly pleased with the service provided by Rajiv and his staff on my GC application.
Ze
I got my PERM Labor certified in less than a week. Special Thanks to Mr. Vijay Durgam. They prepare and review the documentation very thoroughly, I always got the feed back from Vijay on my queries within 24 hours. Vijay was so patient to answer my queries during the process.
Many Thanks to everyone who helped me get my labor certified!
Dear Roopa, Pramita, Vani, and all those who handled my case,
I would like to thank you all for your efforts in documenting my case (RIR/EB2) in a professional manner that led to the approval of Labor Certification.
I sincerely thank Roopa for her prompt responses whenever I requested information. She was very efficient and made sure that I was updated whenever there was a update.
I hope that the team will do its best in the next steps as well.
Regards,
--Sajid
Excellent job by Rajiv and co! First I got my I-140 approval within 2 weeks and now I've got my Green card within 9 months of concurrent filing of I-140 and I-486. Thanks to Rajiv and the whole team for their wonderful help. My special thanks are due to Diane, who was instrumental in putting my package together for all her help and for her prompt response to all my queries.
I got my I-140 approval in 15 working days. Wonderful job done by Aruna and Mathew. They are very good in coordinating with employer, clarifying GC related questions during the process.
Thanks to Aruna, Mathew and Rajiv's.
The Department has released FAQs for H-2Bs in the entertainment industry.
ICE updated its list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools on 29th June 2009.
Should you be applying for employment-based green card in this economy?
A lot of employers have been asking this question in the last few months. Is it even possible to get a labor certification with the US unemployment at a 26-year high.
I have a question on the new very scary and confusing interoffice memo (May 6, 2009) that the acting associate director of USCIS issued regarding unlawful presence. I am currently on EAD/AP since the expiration of my 6 years of H1-b visa on september 3, 2008 with my I-140 approved and my I-485 (PD-october 2, 2004, EB2) pending. According to the example 2 (page 10) of this memo-, anybody with an expired non-immigrant visa is subject to deportation even though his I-485 was filed properly when that person was in proper non-immigrant status and the petition is still pending. My understanding was that once an AOS is filed, I am authorized to stay here and work on EAD and go in and out of USA on AP until that petition is denied. When did this law change?
That example does not make any sense. It appears to be more a clarification of a concept - NOT practice. Do NOT worry. You are fine. If someone has not already done so, I will write USCIS next week after reviewing the entire 51 page memo carefully. Do NOT lose sleep over this.
Number 11
Volume XI
Washington, D.C.
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Please see the attached article, "Proving Existence of a Job for H-1 B" authored by Rajiv and published by American Law Institute- American Bar Association, October 2009 issue of "The Practical Lawyer".
well, what can I say than the usual? Folks at Rajiv's office must be thinking 'phew. we have recieved another one of those glorious feedbacks today. YET again. so, there you go. I'll be another guy who says you are the best. But its true aint it? You know your stuff, you are attentive, you hear our griping, whining and still say 'How can we help?' . Thats what I like the most about Rajiv's Office. After 9 years in the country, just when I started to get comfortable and thinking my status is safe, i received an RFE asking for what I call "Copy from CM and Copy from PM", which in other words, USCIS has asked for letters from everyone involved in my employment. Thank goodness, they didnt ask the now infamous 'tax returns of the company and letter fron the president'. The moment I saw my RFE, I sent an email to Rajiv with one sentence 'HELP!!'. He responded back in 5 minutes, directing his most amazing and best-at-what-she-does assistant, Anna Baker to help me. Letters followed, checks mailed, more emails and voila, we have our case ready and all the letters signed. We applied last friday (July 3rd), received the status email, and case processing has resumed the same day. On July 8th we received an email containing the magical words 'Approval Notice Sent'!! So, lets start with the mail room guys, copying room folks, all the assistants: Thanks a ton! and then Anna : Any number of thanks and best wishes wouldnt be sufficient for your hard work and diligence. and of course Rajiv: For assembling the best team, and for always being there. Thanks to all of you for making this happen for me. Much Appreciated. Bala
I am currently on H1B extension (7th year ; with pending I-485 under NIW, and approved Advanced Parole & EAD) dating an American citizen. We want to get married in India. If I were to leave my current job in October 2009, and go to India (for making marriage arrangements), is it advisable to:
1. First get engaged here in the US and file for fiancé Visa while I am in US (and then travel to India) in order to re-enter US on a legal status.
2. Also do we have to get married in US again in order to provide proper legal marriage documentation and to file family based I-485 as spouse.
NIW applicants get their green card based upon an expectation of employment - not employment (unless you are a physician). So, if you have a job offer in your area of expertise, your travel on AP is fairly safe.
A legal marriage in India is fully recognized in USA.
1. One of my friend had his 140 approved in 2005. He has his 485 pending since 2005. now he got RFE which essentialy says that 140 was approved in error and asks for ability pay prooof. Can USCIS go back and raise RFE's in this manner?
2. If yes then would he have been better if he had changed the job using AC21 ? My impression was that Once one is eligible for ac21( 180 days past 485) , RFE's related to old employer should not come. seeing this , using AC21 seems very risky. what happens if someone changes job and then USCIS says that 140 approved was in error , and asks for bunch of proof from the old company. what is your take?
1. There is some legal argument for saying no, but in my opinion, USCIS can do this. In fact, I think there is a 9th circuit case from last week that says they can.
2. My take is AC21 would be a better idea, although, not fool proof.
I detest this current trend of USCIS of over-scrutinizing every case and making impossible demands while operating in an environment of regulation by memorandum. I could share some horror stories with you.
USCIS offers immigration services and resources specifically for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families who are stationed in the United States and abroad.
As ofJuly 10, 2009, approximately 44,900 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.
a). I am an associate professor at XXX State University. Beginning August, 2009 (in two weeks time), I am planning on going for a one-year unpaid professional leave of absence. During the leave I will be in India. However I would technically still be employed by my University. Meanwhile, I have an approved I-140 (EB-2) - I-485 pending.
b). What happens if I get my green card while I am on leave (I am going to India)? Can I still receive it legally? If I can legally accept the green card, can I change my address on the USCIS web site and give my relative's address? We currently live in California and our case is is handled by Nebraska Center. Given this scenario, should we give the address of our relatives in California, or is it O.K. to give the address of our relative who lives in New Jersey?
c). At the time I filled the I-485 for myself and my wife, my wife was pregnant and could not get one of the immunizations (I think it was MMR). Now I am afraid that when we are out of the country we might get a medical RFE for my wife. Is it possible for us to get the immunizations done by a USCIS authorized doctor, and send the report to the USCIS in anticipation of the RFE? If yes, then which form should be fill/take to the doctor?
a). The first issue would be whether or not you still have a "permanent job" that would qualify you for a green card. In situations of long vacation, questions could be raised whether or not the green card job is indeed permanent; if so, who will do it in your absence; what is the reason for your leave; are you terminating your relationship with your employer, etc. If you have good answers to all these questions, you are fine.
I received H1b Petition Approval. Anna, Fran and Rajiv are very professional, responsive, and friendly. The whole petition process was smooth and easy for my employer and me. Anna, Fran and Rajiv contacted us ahead of time to prompt us for details for the case. So there was no rush, we always had adequate time and were confident in the service. They guided us through the process, we perfectly professional, responsive, and punctual. This is a great service. Great work! I am very thankful and recommend Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna.
USCIS has updated its policy on the acceptance of DNA evidence supporting sibling relationships. This policy memorandum permits officers to suggest and consider direct sibling-to-sibling DNA test results, and provides standards for evaluating DNA results for full siblings and half siblings.
I am currently working for a Non-profit org on a cap-exempt H-1B. and my company initiated my GC processing. Below are the few questions:<br>
1. Is the GC processing any different thru a non-profit from a for-profit organization? meaning, is it any advantageous to process my GC thru a non-profit?<br>
2. Can my I-140 from a non-profit be transferred to a for-profit org, if I was able to move to a for-profit org?<br>
3. What are the possible ways that I could move to work for a for -profit organizations? From your previous calls and thru my research I found out below few ways that I could to that. Please give your inputs<br>
a. Finding a profit employer to file my cap-subject H1 (Can I start working for my new employer as soon as my H1b is picked in the lottery or approved, instead of waiting till Oct 1st?)<br>
b. If a new employer sponsor my cap-subject H1 and if I dont move to the new employer, will my current cap-exempt H1 be still active and should I have to go under the cap next time I file a Cap-subject H1<br>
c.applying for concurrent H1b<br>
d. Moving on to H4EAD and filing a H1b next April<br>
e.Joining a Masters CPT college and filing a Cap-subject H-1B next year
Video Transcript
1. The answer is No. There is no advantage in going through for-profit or non-profit that's just irrelevant.
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
First of all; I would like to thank the entire Team member who has worked in my case. Special Kudos goes to my case manager 'Aruna Marthi'; she did absolutely fabulous job to get me through this whole process. The time, and efforts you guys have given me the only reason of this case successful. Can you believe it, I got my whole process completed within 6 months and I-485 got approved in less than 2 months.
Thanks again for all of your efforts.
Regards:
BK