News Archives - Somireddy Law Group

How to Choose the Right Immigration Lawyer: 10 Questions to Ask?

Choosing an immigration lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make during your immigration journey. The right attorney can mean the difference between an approved application and a costly, time-consuming setback. Immigration law in the United States is complex and constantly changing. A lawyer who understands your specific situation, stays current with policy changes, and communicates clearly can save you significant time, money, and stress. This blog

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

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.

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,

Invitation for Employers Needing Assistance with Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Filing

Dear Employers, We hope this message finds you well. In light of the recent federal requirement mandating the reporting of Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI), we understand that employers, like yourself, may have questions and concerns about compliance. At Somireddy Law Group, we are here to offer our expertise and support to assist you in meeting these new regulatory obligations effectively and efficiently. What is Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)? Beneficial

Announcement !! Merger of Somireddy Law Group and VY Law Group based out of New Jersey.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the merger of Somireddy Law Group PLLC and VY Law Group LLC. The merger of the two legal practices will become effective August 5, 2024. The merged law firm, Somireddy Law Group PLLC, will consist of 5 full-time attorneys, 5 Of counsel attorneys and over 60 staff members. With the merger Somireddy Law Group’s practice areas will include Immigration, Litigation, Corporate, Municipal,

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