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The Many Faces of Stern Elkind Curray & Alterman LLP

Since 1985,Stern Elkind Curray & Alterman has limited its practice to immigration law, with a special emphasis on matters relating to the employment of foreign professionals. Mr. Stern and Ms. Elkind founded the firm with the goal of providing the very best immigration advice and representation to our clients. As the firm has grown, we have continued our commitment to maintaining a high level of expertise combined with an understanding that our clients are individuals whose lives are deeply affected by the work we do. Over the years, we have developed expertise and wide-ranging experience in all facets of immigration law.

We continue to be deeply affected by our clients, some of whom are introduced within this web site.

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Stern Elkind Curray & Alterman News and Updates

Friday, June 01, 2007

Business Community Remains Virtually Silent on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

The Senate "compromise"comprehensive immigration reform proposal would radically change employment-based immigration law in the United States. A point system would replace the current approaches to permanent residence, including labor certification, national interest waiver, extraordinary ability applications, etc. In addition, the bill would strip the "dual intent"" provision regarding H-1B visa applications, which would make it much more difficult to obtain H-1B status. Also a new fee of $5,000 will be added to the H-1B application process. Furthermore, the bill does nothing to increase the availability of H-1B visas or eliminate excessive backlogs in employment-based permanent resident processing.
In the face of these changes, the business community has remained relatively silent. Our office encourages our clients, and other members of the business community, to make their voice heard by contacting their elected representatives in Washington and urging them to amend the bill to be more favorable to American employers.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association website (www.AILA.com) provides an easy vehicle for contacting senators and congresspeople. Now is a critical time for employers to act in favor of employment-friendly immigration reform.


Another District Court Grants I-485 Mandamus Action

More and more District Courts are ruling in favor of plaintiffs who sue to have their long-delayed I-485 application for adjustment of status adjudicated. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted an adjustment Mandamus action on April 25, 2007. Our office has filed a number of Mandamus actions, and we have achieved some favorable results. Individuals with long-standing adjustment applications should consider the possibility of filing a Mandamus action (which is not appropriate in every case).


USCIS to Raise Fees by 66% Starting July

USCIS has announced that its proposed fee increases will take effect starting July 30. USCIS had received a number of complaints from immigration lawyers, advocates and even members of Congress. Notwithstanding these complaints, USCIS is moving forward with fee increases. An application for naturalization will increase from $405 to $675. An individual applying to become a legal permanent resident will have to pay more than $1,000, which represents a 155% increase.