Greetings!
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THE H-1B CAP SEASON IS UPON US
USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2014 on April 1, 2013
Please contact your attorney or paralegal at Challa Law Offices in VA and NC if you would like to know more about this process. You can reach our Richmond office at 804-360-8482 and our North Carolina office at 919-380-4044. You can also email us directly or send an email to our general address at info@challalaw.com. We will be happy to assist you.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 cap on Monday, April 1, 2013.
Cases will be considered accepted on the date that USCIS receives a properly filed petition for which the correct fee has been submitted; not the date that the petition is postmarked.
The cap (the numerical limitation on H-1B petitions) for FY 2014 is 65,000. In addition, the first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of individuals with U.S. master's degree or higher are exempt from the fiscal year cap of 65,000.
Based on feedback from a number of stakeholders, USCIS anticipates that it may receive more petitions than the H-1B cap between April 1, 2013 and April 5, 2013.
USCIS will monitor the number of petitions received and notify the public of the date on which the numerical limit of the H-1B cap has been met. This date is known as the final receipt date.
If USCIS receives more petitions than it can accept, USCIS will use a lottery system to randomly select the number of petitions required to reach the numerical limit. USCIS will reject petitions that are subject to the cap and are not selected, as well as petitions received after it has the necessary number of petitions needed to meet the cap. The lottery for the H-1B cap was last used in April 2008.
In addition, H-1B cap cases can continue to request premium processing concurrently. Due to the historic premium processing receipt levels, combined with the possibility that the H-1B cap will be met in the first 5 business days of the filing season, USCIS has temporarily adjusted its current premium processing practice.
To facilitate the prioritized data entry of cap-subject petitions requesting premium processing, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases on April 15, 2013. |
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The Story of Two Immigrants
Lakshmi Challa met with the winner of the Challa Law Kindle Fire Drawing, Mr. Gonzalo Ramirez, in order to speak about life, family, and how he is enjoying the use of his new Kindle Fire.
In the below link our Managing Partner, Lakshmi Challa presents Mr. Ramirez and his family. This link can also be found on the Challa Law Facebook Page.
 | | Kindle Fire Competition Winner: Mr. Gonzalo Ramirez |
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Showing Our Love for the Military
Our Mission for 2013 is to help our troops. We are supporting the program AnySoldier.com by sending care packages at the end of every month to our military men and women that are fighting for our freedom. If you would like to be a part of our continuing effort, you can donate and we will purchase the items and send on your behalf, along with hand written notes to our troops.
You can send a check to Challa Law Office with AnySoldier.com in the memo line, or you can donate via PayPal at www.challalaw.com.
Photo: Lakshmi Challa helps prepare AnySoldier Box for March, which is to be sent to a group of U.S. Marines currently serving in Afghanistan.
Challa Law is doing good things with your support. Please help this effort continue to grow.
Donations are tax-deductible !
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Lakshmi Challa to Chair the Second Annual Pink Tie Ribbon Tea to Celebrate Cancer Survivors
The American Cancer Society will host its annual Pink Ribbon Tea on Sunday, April 28, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (555 E. Canal St., Richmond) to celebrate breast cancer survivors and remember those lost to the disease. The mid-afternoon tea event features a hat fashion show and silent auction, including packages with weekend hotel stays, and restaurant and grocery store gift cards. Tickets are available for a suggested donation of $50.
Lakshmi Challa, Founder and Managing Attorney of Challa Law Offices in Richmond, serves as the Pink Ribbon Tea's honorary chair. She believes the Society's Pink Ribbon Tea is an opportunity for her to honor both her mother and a close friend, each diagnosed with cancer.
"Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving the disease for at least five years. This is tremendous progress, due in part, to the work of the American Cancer Society," said Challa. "It's important to me to support efforts like the Society's Pink Ribbon Tea because no one should be afraid or ashamed of being diagnosed with cancer. With greater community support, we can eliminate cancer as a major public health problem."
Challa was recognized as Henrico County's 2012 Community Leader of the Year by the Greater Richmond Chamber for her contributions to public service and the community, and she was named as one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's Influential Women of Virginia in 2012.
We at Challa Law Office in VA and NC would like you all to please show your support for this good cause. You can reach Sharon at spachmayr@challalaw.com or Valerie at vmarshall@challalaw.com
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Educating Students on Immigration Options!
As a part of Challa Law Offices desire to make sure that our student population is well informed as to their immigration options, our attorneys often give presentations on various topics such as student visas, work visas, and the residency process here in the United States.
On February 28th, 2013 Associate Attorney Eileen Earnhardt presented information on "Immigration Options after Graduation" to the students of Stratford University!
On March 12, 2013 Managing Partner Lakshmi Challa presented information on Fast Track Green Cards, special issues with OPT, H-1B, and various other immigration options to the students of VCU!
On March 13, 2013 Managing Partner Lakshmi Challa presented information on H-1B VISAS and updates to Businesses in NC at the Capital Club in Raleigh, NC
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Challa Law Attended the Grand Opening of USCIS' Norfolk Field Office
Eileen Earnhardt from Challa Law Offices attended the grand opening of USCIS' Norfolk Field Office at its new location at 5678 East Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23502.
The event featured the naturalization ceremony for several service men and women, as well as tours of the new building.
The Norfolk office is where many of our clients complete biometrics appointments and interviews.
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Priority Dates: April 2013: Family Based
China India
F1 08 MAR 06 08 MAR 06
F2A 15 DEC 10 15 DEC 10
F2B 08 APR 05 08 APR 05
F3 22 JUL 02 22 JUL 02
F4 01 MAY 01 01 MAY 01
Priority Dates: April 2013: Employment: Based
China India
First C C
Second 01 APR 08 01 SEP 04
Third 22 APR 07 08 DEC 02
Other Workers 01 AUG 03 08 DEC 02
Fourth C C
Religious Workers C C Fifth C C
If you would like to know about your case status, please call our office 804-360-8482 in Richmond or 919-380-4044 in NC and ask your attending paralegal/attorney or email them directly or send an email to our office at info@challalaw.com and someone will be able to help you. |
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Disclaimer
This newsletter has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No information included herein shall create an attorney/client relationship or constitute an invitation for such a relationship. This newsletter is not intended to be an advertisement. You should always seek professional, independent legal consultation before taking or refraining from any action. |
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Sincerely,
Challa Law Offices |
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Upcoming Events at Challa Law
March 25, 2013
Immigration Options Post Graduation:
University of Virginia
208 Minor Hall on McCormick Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22904
4:00-6:00pm
April 22, 2013
Immigration Updates:
George Mason University
Student Union I,
Room 3B
4:30-6:30pm
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Challa Law Offices After Hours Drop Box
For you convenience we now have this facility at our
Richmond office. |
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Our Office Locations:
RICHMOND, VA:
5040 Sadler Place
Suite 200
Glen Allen, VA 23060
804-360-8482
MORRISVILLE, NC:
5105 Grace Park Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-380-4044
HYDERABAD INDIA:
Challa Legal Services Pvt. Ltd
401 Flora Apartments
Road Number 3
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad, AP. India
91 40 23352295
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