Somireddy Law, Author at Somireddy Law Group

The Expanding Consequences of Criminal Charges on International Students: Visa Revocations Before Conviction and the Evolution of U.S. Policy

Introduction For decades, international students in the United States generally operated under the assumption that a criminal accusation alone would not automatically destroy their immigration status. Traditionally, U.S. immigration law distinguished between a mere arrest or criminal charge and an actual conviction. However, over the last two decades particularly after September 11, 2001 the federal government has increasingly expanded discretionary authority over visa issuance, visa revocation, SEVIS monitoring, and immigration

Understanding Equitable Distribution in Virginia: What It Means for You

When a marriage ends, one of the most important—and often most contentious—issues is how property and debts will be divided. In Virginia, this process is known as equitable distribution. Despite what many people assume, “equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal.” Instead, it means fairness can look very different depending on the circumstances of each case. What Is Equitable Distribution? Equitable distribution is the legal framework Virginia courts use to divide marital

DUI Arrest in Virginia: What to Do If Your Friend Is in Jail

Getting a call that a friend who has been arrested for DUI can be stressful and confusing. Most people don’t know what happens next—or what they’re supposed to do to help. In Virginia, DUI charges are taken seriously, but there are clear steps you can take to support your friend and protect their situation from getting worse. Let’s break it down in a practical, real-world way. First: Stay Calm and Get the

Child Support in Virginia: How It Really Works (With Real Examples)

When parents separate, one of the first questions that comes up is: “How much child support will I have to pay?” In Virginia, child support isn’t arbitrary. It follows a structured formula designed to ensure that children continue to receive financial support from both parents, even if they no longer live under the same roof. But while there is a formula, the reality is that child support can still feel

FAQs on FY 2027 H-1B CAP Registration, Wage Level Weighted Selection Process and Applicability of the 100K Fee

What is the 100K H-1B Proclamation Fee? On September 19, 2025, the President issued a Proclamation order under which certain new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025 must be accompanied by an additional one-time fee of $100,000. This is in addition to the regular H-1B filing fee. When does the 100K Proclamation Fee apply? The $100,000 fee generally applies when: The beneficiary is outside the United States

Alert: Mission India Rescheduling H-1B Appointments Following Implementation of Online Presence Review

Beginning December 8, 2025, some applicants with H-1B and H-4 visa appointments at Mission India posts began receiving notices that their consular interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025, were being unilaterally rescheduled, many to March 2026. Consular posts attribute these changes to the Department of State’s implementation of the new online presence review requirement for H-1B applicants and their dependents, to reduce the daily interview capacity needed to carry out

Navigating International Child Custody: The United States And India

NAVIGATING INTERNATIONAL CHILD CUSTODY: THE UNITED STATES AND INDIA With the increasing globalized nature of business, cross-border families have become increasingly common. Unfortunately, when relationships deteriorate, the issue of child custody becomes not only emotional but also legally complex, especially when one parent relocates or removes a child to another country. In recent years, U.S. courts have seen a rise in cases where one parent removes a U.S.-born child to

Q&A for EB-5 Visas

Q&A for EB-5 Visas What is an EB-5 Visa? EB-5 Visa, also known as the Immigrant Investor Program, allows foreign investors to obtain a U.S. green card by investing in a U.S. commercial enterprise. Introduced in 1990 to boost U.S. economic growth Requires a qualifying capital investment Includes spouse and unmarried children under 21 Initial green card is conditional for 2 years What is the investment requirement? The standard EB-5

DOL Grants 33-Day Extension for PERM and H-2 Cases

DOL Grants 33-Day Extension for PERM and H-2 Cases Affected by Shutdown The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a 33-day automatic extension for all PERM and H-2 filings delayed by the October 2025 government shutdown, when the FLAG portal was offline. What it means : – PERM recruitment or PWDs expiring between Oct 1–Nov 2, 2025 can still be filed within 33 days. – PERM audits, RFIs, and

EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) – Requirements & Process

EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) – Requirements & Process The EB-2 NIW allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain permanent residence without employer sponsorship, provided they demonstrate that their work serves the national interest of the United States. Key Advantages of EB-2 NIW No Job Offer Required: You can self-petition and are not dependent on an employer. No Labor Certification: Avoids the lengthy and complex PERM process. Flexibility: Not bound to

10 Intresting Facts about the U.S. Constitution

1. Oldest One Still Running The U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787, remains in effect today. It is the oldest written national constitution still active globally. 2. Written In One Sweaty Summer Believe it or not, it took less than four months for the Founding Fathers to write the entire thing. The Constitutional Convention began in May 1787 in Philadelphia and concluded by September, approximately four months from debate to signature.

DHS Ends the 540-Day Automatic EAD Extension

DHS Ends the 540-Day Automatic EAD Extension Effective Date: October 30, 2025 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ended the 540-day automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extension for all renewal applicants who file on or after October 30, 2025. This means no automatic work authorization once the current EAD expires—workers must wait until USCIS approves the new card before resuming employment. Who Is Affected The rule impacts renewal

UPDATE FROM AILA Proclamation Order Effecting H-1B Visa Holders LEGAL CHALLENGES & NEXT STEPS

On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation restricting the entry of anyone seeking to enter or reenter the U.S. in H-1B status without payment of a new $100,000 fee. The proclamation, titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers is effective date is 12:01 a.m. EDT Sunday, September 21, 2025, and is set to expire after one year. UPDATE: On September 20, 2025, USCIS and CBP issued Memoranda

Visa Bond Pilot Program for B 1/B 2 Applicants

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) establishing a 12-month visa bond pilot program, which applies to B1/B2 visa applicants from select countries with high overstay rates, deficient vetting data, or citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs. This pilot requires visa applicants to post a Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the Consular Officer’s discretion, before visa issuance. Details of the program, including how

SVP Scores & H-1B Wage Levels: Hidden Triggers, Real Risks.

As part of ongoing guidance to support your H-1B program compliance, this newsletter addresses a critical but often overlooked factor in H-1B wage level determinations: the Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) score and its role in shaping DOL wage level classifications under the Labor Condition Application (LCA) process. Misalignment between a job’s described complexity and the wage level selected in the LCA continues to be a leading cause of RFEs, NOIRs,