Cyrus Mehta | The Insightful Immigration Blog

About Cyrus Mehta

Cyrus D. Mehta is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners PLLC. He is a prolific speaker and writer on contemporary immigration topics. He graduated with law degrees from Cambridge University and Columbia Law School.

Entries by Cyrus Mehta

DOS Releases Info on Cut-Off Date Calculations; November 2013 Visa Bulletin Shown Movement in China ‘Other Workers’ Category

October 14, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

The Department of State (DOS) recently released information about how it calculates visa availability cut-off dates. Separately, the Visa Office has released the latest November 2013 Visa Bulletin, which explains additional points and notes forward movement in the China employment-based third preference “Other Workers” category. Visa availability calculations. DOS explained that each month, its Visa […]

DELAYS FOR OVERSEAS SPOUSES OF US CITIZENS SEEKING GREEN CARDS

October 7, 2013/6 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

By Cyrus D. Mehta One of the most fundamental benefits under immigration law is for the ability of a US citizen to quickly sponsor a foreign national spouse for a green card. While the granting of immigration benefits is contentious in today’s political environment, no one has disputed, even immigration restrictionists, that a US citizen cannot […]

CAN AN UNDOCUMENTED LAWYER PRACTICE IMMIGRATION LAW?

September 13, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

All eyes are focused on whether the California Supreme Court will grant an undocumented lawyer a law license in the case of Sergio Garcia. If an undocumented lawyer like Garcia is granted a license, what would happen if he chooses to practice immigration law? In the past, undocumented lawyers who practiced immigration law have been […]

AMERICA’S ROLE IN SYRIA AFTER THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS ATTACK AND IMMIGRATION REFORM

August 30, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

By Gary Endelman and Cyrus D. Mehta After hearing about the horrific killing of civilians in Syria in a chemical weapon attack, President Obama stated: “We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried these out. And if that’s so, then there need to be international consequences.” The United States may resort to this […]

Nearly 12 Years After 9/11 Applicants Perceived as Muslims Still Targeted Under a Secret Immigration Program

August 26, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

After the 9/11 attacks, anything and everything concerning immigration has been viewed through the prism of national security. Even a straightforward bona fide marriage between a US citizen and foreign national spouse will only be approved after every aspect of the spouse’s information is extensively checked against humongous and error-prone national data bases. In the […]

The Lazarus Effect: How Comprehensive Immigration Reform Can Survive The House GOP and Come Back to Life

August 19, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

By Gary Endelmanand Cyrus D. Mehta “The only true test of leadership is the ability to lead and lead vigorously” President John F. Kennedy The Republican National Committee passed a resolution on Friday calling on Congress to pass immigration reform by the end of the year. Unlike the Senate Bill, s. 744, the Border, Security, […]

How California’s AB 1159 Will Hurt Immigration Lawyers and their Clients: A New York Immigration Lawyer’s Perspective

August 9, 2013/1 Comment/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

The California State Legislature is about to pass a bill to protect its residents from immigration fraud. The bill, which if passed will take effect on January 1, 2014, is also supported by the State Bar of California. While a bill to protect people against immigration fraud is always laudable, California’s Immigration Reform Act, AB […]

Hey Boss, I Need Premium Processing: Can An H-1B Employee Pay The Premium Processing Fee?

July 26, 2013/2 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

By Cyrus D. Mehta and Myriam Jaidi An employer is in the process of preparing an H-1B extension for an employee. The employer is preparing the petition several months before the expiration of the employee’s current H-1B status, and therefore has determined to file without premium processing. Moreover, pursuant to 8 CFR § 274a.12(b)(20), the […]

BAD TIMING ALBERTO: BIA HAS CONFIRMED THAT SAME SEX SPOUSES CAN GET IMMIGRATION BENEFITS AFTER UNITED STATES V. WINDSOR

July 22, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

By Gary Endelman and Cyrus D. Mehta Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, along with an immigration attorney, David Strange, published an Op Ed in the New York Times entitled What the Court Didn’t Say on July 17, 2013. They muddy the waters by contending that despite the recent Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor, 133 S. […]

How Cyrus’ View of Religious Toleration May Have Inspired the American Constitution

July 12, 2013/0 Comments/in Blog/by Cyrus Mehta

By Gary Endelman and Cyrus D. Mehta The display of the Cyrus Cylinder in museums across America has sparked interest on whether Cyrus, who founded the Persian Empire in 549 BC, may have influenced the U.S. Constitution.1 Our essay explores the extent to which Cyrus may have influenced one of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, who in turn […]