Ashoori Law - US Immigration Lawyers

Ashoori Law - US Immigration Lawyers Ashoori Law is an immigration law firm focused on helping families, investors, professionals and entr

08/27/2026

USCIS just restored full discretion to officers to deny immigration benefit requests outright—without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) first. 🚨

In this video, attorney Michael Ashoori breaks down the August 5, 2026 USCIS policy update and what it means for applicants and employers.

Watch the full video for strategic guidance on how to ensure your case is 100% complete before submitting. 📺

Have questions about your pending or upcoming application? Drop them in the comments below! 👇



⚠️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. For informational purposes only; not legal advice.

If you want to build a business in the United States, there is no single "entrepreneur visa." There are actually several...
08/25/2026

If you want to build a business in the United States, there is no single "entrepreneur visa." There are actually several different pathways, each designed for a different situation. Here is a quick look at eight of them. Swipe ➡️

Each option has its own requirements, and some founders may qualify for more than one. The takeaway is simple: if one path does not fit, there may be other options worth exploring.

If you would like to learn more about your immigration options, you are welcome to request a consultation using the link below.

🔖 Save this one for later.



‼️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility for each of these pathways depends on the specific facts of each case, including nationality, investment, business structure, and evidence. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

One of the most common reasons an E-2 application runs into trouble has nothing to do with the amount of money involved....
08/24/2026

One of the most common reasons an E-2 application runs into trouble has nothing to do with the amount of money involved. It has to do with where that money is sitting.

The core idea: the E-2 requires an investment. Savings sitting uncommitted in an account are not yet an investment, no matter how large the number is.

Under the Department of State's guidance, funds must be irrevocably committed to the business and genuinely at risk, meaning you could lose some or all of it if the business does not succeed. If the money can be withdrawn at will, that risk does not exist yet.

Two things people often mix up:

➡️ There is no fixed minimum dollar amount for an E-2. What matters is whether the investment is substantial relative to what your specific business actually costs to start or buy.

➡️ And a larger bank balance does not strengthen a weak commitment. A smaller amount that has genuinely been placed at risk is usually stronger than a larger amount sitting untouched.

If you are planning an E-2, it is worth reviewing how and when you commit funds before you move any money. The sequence matters.



‼️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. E-2 eligibility depends on the specific facts of each case, including nationality, business type, investment structure, and evidence. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, or any government agency.

You were an engineer. A nurse. An accountant. A teacher. Then you arrived, and your qualifications are listed as a quest...
08/21/2026

You were an engineer. A nurse. An accountant. A teacher. Then you arrived, and your qualifications are listed as a question mark on the form.

This is one of the most frustrating parts of starting over, and it catches people off guard.

Here is what is actually going on:

🔹 U.S. employers, universities, or licensing boards do not automatically recognize degrees earned abroad. That does not mean they are worthless. It means they need to be translated into terms the U.S. system understands.

🔹 That translation is called a credential evaluation. An evaluation service reviews your transcripts and diplomas and issues a report explaining the U.S. equivalent of what you earned.

🔹 Different situations need different evaluations. Some employers accept a general equivalency report. Universities often want a detailed course-by-course evaluation. Some employment-based immigration filings use credential evaluations to help document the U.S. equivalency of foreign education.

🔹 Licensed professions are their own category. Doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and others often face state licensing boards with additional exams, supervised practice, or coursework requirements. Rules vary by state, sometimes significantly.

🔹 Start earlier than you think you need to. Transcripts from abroad can take months to obtain, especially if your institution requires paper requests or the records are old.

If you are in a licensed field, check your specific state board first. Two states can have very different requirements for the same profession.

Has anyone here gone through this process? What surprised you most? 👇



‼️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or career advice. Licensing requirements vary by state and profession.

If you are an international student or exchange visitor, this one affects you directly.On July 17, 2026, DHS published a...
08/18/2026

If you are an international student or exchange visitor, this one affects you directly.

On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule that ends the long-standing "duration of status" system for F, J, and I nonimmigrants. It is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

What is changing:

➡️ Fixed end dates instead of open-ended stay. For decades, F and J nonimmigrants were admitted for "duration of status," meaning they could stay as long as they maintained their program. Under the rule, they will be admitted for a fixed period, generally up to four years or the program end date on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, whichever is shorter.

➡️ Extensions now go through USCIS. To stay beyond the date on your I-94, you will need to file an extension of stay application, submit biometrics, and show continued eligibility.

➡️ The F-1 grace period shrinks. The post-completion grace period drops from 60 days to 30 days.

➡️ New limits on academic movement. The rule adds restrictions around school transfers, changing majors, and moving between education levels.

➡️ Protections for timely filings. If you file an extension on time, you may generally continue your authorized activities while it is pending.

Students already in the U.S. and maintaining status on the effective date get transition protections, but if you depart and seek readmission after September 15, you may be admitted under the new fixed-date system.

The practical takeaway: know your I-94 date. It matters much more than it used to.



‼️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Everyone knows about the case status page. These five USCIS tools can also be useful.1️⃣ Processing Times ToolShows esti...
08/17/2026

Everyone knows about the case status page. These five USCIS tools can also be useful.

1️⃣ Processing Times Tool
Shows estimated processing times by form, category, and processing office. It can help you understand how long USCIS generally takes to process certain cases.

2️⃣ Case Outside Normal Processing Time Inquiry
If USCIS’s Processing Times tool shows that your case is eligible for an inquiry, you may be able to submit an e-Request online.

3️⃣ Your USCIS Online Account
Even for many paper-filed cases, you can add the case to an online account and receive automatic case alerts.

4️⃣ The Civics Practice Test
USCIS provides free official practice and study materials for the naturalization civics test.

5️⃣ The Fee Calculator
Use USCIS’s Fee Calculator to determine the current filing fee for your form. Fees can change, so checking before filing can help avoid an incorrect fee submission.

These are official USCIS tools and resources.

🔖 Save this one. You may want it later.



⚠️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Includes matters handled through our collaborative model. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Each case depends on its specific facts, eligibility, and applicable law. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Reviews like this reflect the personal importance immigration matters can carry beyond the paperwork. For many clients, ...
08/16/2026

Reviews like this reflect the personal importance immigration matters can carry beyond the paperwork. For many clients, there is a great deal riding on the process, and the waiting can be difficult.

Thank you, Shakaib, for taking the time to share your experience and feedback.

Read more client reviews at ashoorilaw.com/reviews



⚠️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Includes matters handled through our collaborative model. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. This review was reproduced from a public Google review and reflects the reviewer’s individual experience. Client experiences and case outcomes vary. Each case depends on its specific facts, eligibility, and applicable law. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

The August 2026 Visa Bulletin is out, and several family-sponsored preference categories moved forward.Here is the short...
08/14/2026

The August 2026 Visa Bulletin is out, and several family-sponsored preference categories moved forward.

Here is the short version:

🔹 Family-sponsored filings: For August 2026, family-sponsored preference applicants seeking adjustment of status with USCIS must use the Dates for Filing chart.

🔹 Family movement: Several filing dates advanced. F2A remains current on the Dates for Filing chart, while its separate Final Action Date advanced substantially.

🔹 Employment-based filings: Employment-based applicants seeking adjustment of status with USCIS must use the Final Action Dates chart.

🔹 Employment movement: Final Action Date movement was limited and varied by category. EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India remain unavailable, while the EB-5 set-aside categories remain current.

🔹 EB-1 India warning: The Department of State warned that EB-1 India may become unavailable in the coming weeks if India’s prorated EB-1 limit is reached before the fiscal year ends on September 30.

If your priority date is earlier than the applicable cutoff, or your category is marked current, you may be eligible to file Form I-485, provided you meet all other requirements. Eligibility to file does not necessarily mean USCIS can approve the case immediately.

As the fiscal year approaches September 30, categories may retrogress or become unavailable if numerical limits are reached.

Before filing, confirm your preference category, priority date, country of chargeability, the chart USCIS designated for the month, and all other eligibility requirements.



⚠️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Includes matters handled through our collaborative model. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, or any other government agency. Each case depends on its specific facts, eligibility, and applicable law. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visa Bulletin dates, USCIS chart designations, and visa availability may change. Filing eligibility depends on the applicant’s category, priority date, country of chargeability, immigration history, and individual circumstances.

08/13/2026

If this is you right now, you’re in good company. Refreshing the case-status page has become a familiar part of the waiting process.

A few things that may help:

🔹 Use case-status notifications: Create or use your USCIS online account to receive automatic email or text updates when available. Continue monitoring official notices and mail.

🔹 Check official processing times: Use your form, category, and processing office in USCIS’s processing-time tool. These figures are estimates, not guaranteed completion dates.

🔹 Do not assume a quiet status means inactivity: A “Case Was Received” status may remain unchanged for a long period. That alone does not necessarily indicate a problem, but continue checking notices, processing times, and inquiry eligibility.

🔹 Keep your address current: Update your address directly with USCIS, not only with the Postal Service, so you do not miss important notices or documents.

🔹 Check whether you can submit an inquiry: If USCIS’s processing-time tool shows that your case is eligible, you may be able to submit an e-Request.

Case Status Online generally shows the latest recorded action on a case, so a lack of visible updates does not necessarily mean that no processing is occurring.

How many times have you checked yours today? Be honest 👇



⚠️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Includes matters handled through our collaborative model. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Each case depends on its specific facts, eligibility, and applicable law. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. USCIS case-status messages and processing-time estimates do not guarantee when a decision will be issued. Inquiry options vary by form and case circumstances.

If you are preparing to file Form I-485 with USCIS, September 18, 2026, is an important transition date.On July 20, 2026...
08/12/2026

If you are preparing to file Form I-485 with USCIS, September 18, 2026, is an important transition date.

On July 20, 2026, DHS published a final rule rescinding the 2022 public-charge inadmissibility regulations and revising certain public-charge bond provisions.

Quick refresher: Public charge is a long-standing ground of inadmissibility. USCIS evaluates whether a person subject to that ground is likely at any time to become a public charge, based on the totality of the circumstances. A finding of inadmissibility may prevent adjustment of status or admission unless an applicable exception or other form of relief applies.

What changes on September 18:

➡️ Current framework: Under the 2022 rule, USCIS generally considers specified public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense.

➡️ Broader review: USCIS will use a broader, individualized totality-of-the-circumstances review. Officers will consider the statutory factors, applicable precedent, agency guidance, and other relevant case-specific evidence.

➡️ USCIS guidance: DHS is rescinding the detailed 2022 framework without replacing it with another comprehensive regulatory definition. USCIS states that it intends to publish policy and interpretive guidance by or before the effective date.

➡️ Revised Form I-485: USCIS will publish a revised edition. Older editions postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026, will not be accepted.

A Form I-485 properly postmarked or electronically submitted before September 18, 2026, and accepted by USCIS will generally remain subject to the 2022 framework. A rejected filing does not preserve the earlier filing date.

Public charge does not apply to every immigration category, and statutory exemptions remain available. Applicants should confirm eligibility and submit a complete, accurate application rather than filing prematurely solely because of the transition date.



⚠️ Disclaimer: Attorney Advertising. Ashoori Law is a private immigration law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS, DHS, the U.S. Department of State, or any other government agency. Each case depends on its specific facts, eligibility, and applicable law. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Public-charge applicability, exemptions, transition rules, and filing requirements depend on the immigration category and individual circumstances. Applicants should verify the accepted Form I-485 edition and current USCIS guidance before filing.

Address

21700 Oxnard Street, Suite 730
Woodland Hills, CA
91367

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ashoori Law - US Immigration Lawyers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Ashoori Law - US Immigration Lawyers:

Shortcuts

Share

Category