Bhavya Chaudhary & Associates

03/24/2026

We were honored to have our founder, Bhavya Chaudhary, participate as a speaker at the Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum for International Women’s Day—an event that brought together leaders across industries to discuss critical issues shaping today’s professional landscape.

As part of a panel on Navigating Immigration Law, she shared practical insight grounded in her experience helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate complex legal processes with clarity and confidence.

Events like these create space for informed dialogue, elevate diverse voices, and reinforce the importance of accessible, trusted legal guidance in an evolving environment.

We’re proud to contribute to conversations that empower communities through knowledge and advocacy.

03/10/2026

𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗘𝗔𝗗𝘀 & 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

As of March 2026, USCIS is experiencing significant delays in processing work permits (EADs) and Advance Parole travel documents. Increased vetting requirements, staffing shortages, and a large backlog are leaving many applicants waiting months—or even over a year—for decisions.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀:

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀
• EAD (Form I-765): Processing times range from 1 to 20 months, depending on the category.
• Adjustment of Status applicants: Many are currently waiting 6–8.5 months or longer.
• Advance Parole (Form I-131): Most applications are taking 7+ months, with more than 191,000 cases pending as of the end of FY2025.
• USCIS reports that 80% of I-131 cases are completed within 19.5 months.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀
• Automatic extension changes: As of October 30, 2025, the 540-day automatic extension for many EAD renewals ended.
• Shorter validity periods: Beginning December 5, 2025, some renewed EADs were reduced from 5 years back to 18 months.
• Additional scrutiny: Certain applications may experience longer delays due to expanded security reviews and “high-risk country” holds.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼
• File renewals early: You can generally file up to 180 days before expiration.
• Track your case: Monitor updates using your USCIS receipt number online.
• Request expedited processing: In limited cases involving severe financial loss or urgent circumstances.
• Consider legal options: For cases pending an unreasonable amount of time, applicants may explore assistance through the USCIS Ombudsman or mandamus litigation.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿
Do not travel outside the U.S. without an approved Advance Parole document if you have a pending adjustment of status application. Doing so may cause USCIS to treat the application as abandoned.

Given the current environment, planning ahead and filing early is more important than ever.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: https://bcalawfirm.com/news-updates/

12/12/2025

Gold Card Immigrant Petition Now Open!

The U.S. government has officially opened petitions for the new Gold Card Program under Executive Order 14351. Eligible applicants may now file Form I-140G, the first required step toward obtaining permanent residence through this new employment-based pathway.

Here are the key points:
• Form I-140G must be filed online after registering on TrumpCard.gov
• The program is tied to EB-1 Extraordinary Ability and EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) immigrant visa categories
• Applicants must then complete consular processing, including Form DS-260G and an in-person visa interview
• Adjustment of Status (I-485) is not yet confirmed for applicants already inside the U.S.
• There is a $15,000 DHS processing fee per person, and early government notes indicate family members may also face a $1 million donation requirement plus fees
• Only individuals or corporate sponsors may file on behalf of a foreign national
• Petitions must also include proof of sufficient, lawfully obtained funds for the required gift to the Department of Commerce

This process is highly detailed and still developing. Our full article breaks down the filing steps, eligibility requirements, fees, timelines, and what applicants can expect.

👉 Read the full breakdown here: https://bcalawfirm.com/gold-card-implemented/

☎️ If you have questions about the Gold Card program or your eligibility, our office is here to help.

09/22/2025

The sudden $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced by the US has sent shockwaves through Indian professionals and the global tech industry.

In this special discussion, Pankaj Mishra speaks with Bhavya Chaudhary Jha, Sunil Jha (Resident, Atlanta), and Sanjay Jha (IT Professional, Atlanta) on what this policy means for Indian workers, families, and the tech ecosystem.

The sudden $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced by the US has sent shockwaves through Indian professionals and the global tech industry. In this special discussi...

09/22/2025

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗛-𝟭𝗕 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟭 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟭
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.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://bcalawfirm.com/travel-ban-on-h-1b-nonimmigrants-takes-effect-on-1201-am-on-september-21/

09/22/2025

On September 19, 2025, the President issued the Gold Card Proclamation, creating a new immigration pathway for individuals who make a qualifying gift of $1 million or more to the United States. This executive order may impact future considerations for employment-based green card categories. Read the full outline here: https://bcalawfirm.com/gold-card-proclamation/

03/18/2025

DHS’s Alien Registration Requirement

On February 25, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the implementation of a new registration requirement, mandating that certain non-U.S. citizens register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The announcement indicated that further instructions and a form were forthcoming. The interim final regulation has not yet been published. Despite this, the registration form (G-325R) is available in applicants’ MyUSCIS accounts.

https://bcalawfirm.com/dhss-alien-registration-requirement/

01/22/2025

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀 𝗨.𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘆 – 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗦-𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzLEpiw2OU)

youtube.com (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzLEpiw2OU)

𝗕𝗵𝗮𝘃𝘆𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗘𝘀𝗾.
(𝟲𝟳𝟴) 𝟮𝟵𝟮-𝟲𝟭𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 | (𝟳𝟳𝟬) 𝟯𝟭𝟬-𝟳𝟬𝟯𝟴 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹 | 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗯𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺.𝗰𝗼𝗺

In this engaging discussion on OneIndia, members of the Indian diaspora deep dive into Donald Trump's return to power and its implications for India and the ...

09/06/2024

“Women staying in abusive marriages due to visa restrictions is a common occurrence not just in the USA but worldwide. Women are generally indoctrinated to hold their marriage, keep families together and so on. That, coupled with no financial freedom, leads them to tolerate unbelievable abuse. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of women to be emancipated- make a career and have a life/identity independent of their spouses. This will at least help them get out of abusive marriages.”
𝗕𝗵𝗮𝘃𝘆𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝘃𝘆𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀.

https://nripulse.com/when-justice-fails-the-perpetuation-of-rape-culture-in-india-and-beyond/

07/18/2024

In Place Application for Parole

USCIS will start accepting applications for Parole in Place on August 19, 2024. USCIS also included a list of evidence that could be gathered now.

Eligibility:
To be considered for a discretionary grant of parole, on a case-by-case basis, under this process, you must:
Be present in the United States without admission or parole;
Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024;
Have

USCIS will start accepting applications for Parole in Place on August 19, 2024. USCIS also included a list of evidence that could be gathered now.Eligibility...

07/03/2024

Courts no longer have to give Deference to Agency decisions including those of USCIS, Immigration Court, BIA, ICE, CBP, DOS, DOL and others.

Read more:

Courts no longer have to give Deference to Agency decisions including those of USCIS, Immigration Court, BIA, ICE, CBP, DOS, DOL and others: On June 28, 2024

06/19/2024

The latest on the recent Biden administration announcement:
https://youtu.be/Ppf0Q0QxCr8