March 31st, 2020

One of the main talking points of the coronavirus stimulus bill is the direct payment of money from the federal government to American individuals and families. However, not everyone will be eligible to receive this payment. Click to read more on eligibility for nonimmigrants and how you may be affected.

March 27th, 2020

Recent guidance regarding Coronavirus testing and treatment issued by the California Department of Public Health has helped to clarify some of the policies and procedures that may affect intending immigrants and nonimmigrants alike.

March 20th, 2020

From reduced work hours to layoffs, many of the foreign nationals who are working in the United States under temporary non-immigrant visas have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. During these times, it is important for foreign nationals to know their rights, and to be cognizant of the implications any changes may have on their status as a nonimmigrant in the United States.

March 19th, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has led to much uncertainty throughout the country as news continues to develop. As it stands, we forsee a myriad of potential issues for employers and their workforce to consider. Click to read more on the latest information and immigration updates. 

Mar 9, 2020

After closing the USCIS Seattle Application Support Center on March 3rd, 2020 due to a confirmed COVID-19 case, USCIS is set to reopen doors for the Seattle location and continue operations on March 10, 2020. Stay up to date with the latest on USCIS office closures and re-openings on the USCIS website!

Feb 25, 2020

USCIS has just issued a new statement urging anyone who is sick or displaying flu-like symptoms to reschedule any upcoming appointments with USCIS. Click the link to read more on this new update!

Feb 10, 2020

In response to rising Coronavirus numbers, USCIS has issued a short statement on their website. Click the link to learn more and stay updated with the latest USCIS Coronavirus news. 

Feb 7, 2020

USCIS has just issued a new announcment on the Inadmissability on Public Charge Grounds rule. The final rule will be implemented on February 24th, 2020 and will apply to applications and petitions postmarked or electronically submitted on or after this date. Updated forms and and submission instructions will be posted to the USCIS website in early February. Click the link to learn more and stay updated with USCIS! 

Jan 10, 2020

The H-1B cap filing season is nearly upon us, and as you may have heard, this year USCIS is implementing a brand new electronic registration system that will alter the H-1B lottery process significantly! The new system will be beneficial for companies looking to hire and sponsor foreign professionals for H-1B work visas.

December 1, 2019

Once again, managing attorney Ayda Akalin has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. Ths is her eigth time on the list.  Attorneys under the age of 40 are eligible for selection to the Rising Stars list. Ms. Akalin was selected to the list under the category of immigration law. She has been selected to the list each year since 2012.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Only 2.5% of Attorneys are selected to the Rising Stars list. 

January 10, 2019

On January 17th, Attorney Ayda Akalin will be giving a presentation entitled, "Alphabet Soup: A Visa Primer for HR Professionals"

at the West Los Angeles Chapter meeting of the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA). This program is valid for 1.25 PDCs for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM. For more information or to register, click Learn More.  

December 17, 2018

Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new rule that would require employers to register candidates online for H-1B visas a full two weeks before the traditional application deadline of April 1. Only those whose online submissions are accepted will be allowed to submit a full application. The new process would also flip the order in which petitions are reviewed and allocated with respect to the H-1B visa lottery, which would favor candidates with a U.S. master's degree or higher. The proposed rule may go into effect on January 2nd, 2019. This could greatly affect this season's H-1B process for both better and worse.

July 10, 2018

Managing Attorney Ayda Akalin was named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for the 7th year in a row!  Attorneys under the age of 40 are eligible for selection to the Rising Stars list. Ms. Akalin was selected to the list under the category of immigration law. She has been selected to the list each year since 2012.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Only 2.5% of Attorneys are selected to the Rising Stars list. 

April 19, 2017

Attorney Ayda Akalin was quoted in yesterday's Los Angeles Times. She discussed President Trump's new Executive Order, "Buy American, Hire America."  See her comments below.

“It is an extremely competitive and fast-moving industry,” said Ayda Akalin, an immigration attorney whose clients include Silicon Valley start-ups and entrepreneurs. “If they can't find top engineers locally, and they also can't otherwise hire foreign talent through the H-1B program, then they are certainly going to look elsewhere.”

That could mean a rise in outsourcing or tech companies setting up more offices in other countries such as Ireland and Canada, which are more welcoming to foreign workers, Akalin said.

“I can't imagine that was the intended result,” she said.

April 19, 2017

New Green Cards and EADs are coming! 

Today, USCIS announced a redesign to the Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). These redesigns use enhanced graphics and fraud-resistant security features to create cards that are highly secure and more tamper-resistant than the ones currently in use.

The new card designs are part of an ongoing effort between USCIS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enhance document security and deter counterfeiting and fraud.

The new Green Cards and EADs will:

• Display the individual’s photos on both sides;

• Show a unique graphic image and color palette

  • Green Cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a predominately green palette;

  • EAD cards will have an image of a bald eagle and a predominately red palette;

• Have embedded holographic images; and

• No longer display the individual’s signature.

• Green Cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

USCIS will begin issuing the new cards on May 1st. 

April 4, 2017

Attorney Ayda Akalin was quoted in a new Los Angeles Times article discussing the Trump administration's new computer programmer memo which restricts H-1B visas granted to computer programmers.  

“This is definitely intended to be a deterrent for all companies,” said Ayda Akalin, an immigration attorney whose clients include Silicon Valley start-ups and entrepreneurs. “We’ve already had clients asking whether they’re affected by this. It creates an atmosphere of fear amongst the companies and immigrants.”

March 7, 2017

Aghnami Law Corporation's Founder and Managing Attorney, Ayda Akalin, was quoted in an article in Los Angeles Times. The article, entitled "New travel ban. Same response from Silicon Valley," discusses President Trump's executive order. Ms. Akalin was quoted for her views on the recent premium processing freeze on H-1B visas. 

Feb. 9, 2017

Attorney Ayda Akalin was quoted in Taiwan's largest newspaper, Apple Daily. The article covered her panel discussion regarding President Trump's immigration travel ban.

 【川普禁令】被海關扣留怎麼辦？移民律師教你這幾招

Feb 2, 2017

Please follow us on Facebook for the most recent updates on the travel ban imposed by President Trump's Executive Orders. As it is a very fluid situation, we are updating as quickly as we can on our social media accounts as follows: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aghnamilaw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aydaaakalin

Twitter: @aghnamilaw and @aydasays]

Thank you to all of the incredible volunteers and attorneys on the ground who have been helping throughout the world!

January 2017

Good news! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today published a final rule that may allow certain promising foreign startup founders to begin growing and working on their companies in the United States. This new rule is effective July 17, 2017.

April 13, 2015

USCIS announced today that it has completed the H-1B Lottery Selection Process for FY2016! USCIS received almost 233,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, which began on April 1st.  On April 13, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process (lottery) to select enough petitions to meet both the 65,000 general H-1B cap and the 20,000 US Masters cap. USCIS will reject and return all unselected petitions with their filing fees. 

USCIS conducted the selection process for the US Masters Cap first. All unselected US Masters Cap petitions then became part of the random selection process for the general 65,000 limit (thereby, getting two bites at the apple).

USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than May 11, 2015. You can expect to start receiving rejected packages at around the same time. 

February 24, 2015

Great news! Effective May 26, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Contact us for more information!

December 12, 2014

USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez told Spanish-speaking reporters in a conference call that immigrants should be able to start applying for deportation relief and work permits in early 2015. First up will be those applying for expanded DACA, most likely in February. Parents of U.S. citizens and legal resident children should be able to begin applying for DAPA in May. Contact our office for more information! 

November 19, 2014

Tomorrow night, President Obama will address the nation to lay out the executive actions he’s taking to fix our broken immigration system. You can watch the President live tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET at WhiteHouse.gov/Live. On Friday he will lay out the details of the plan in Las Vegas. Keep in touch with us for detailed updates! 

October 2014

We are excited to annouce that Aghnami Law Corporation is moving on November 1st! Our new offices are located in Playa Vista - in the heart of Los Angeles' new Silicon Beach neighborhood. Stay tuned for our new office warming party and a new season of immigration seminars coming soon! 

Our new address:

12777 W. Jefferson Blvd.

Building D, Suite 300

Los Angeles CA 90066

Please direct all mail and correspondence to this new address!

December 2013

Ms. Aghnami has been named a 2013 Top Attorney by Pasadena Magazine.

Established in 2007, Pasadena Magazine has positioned itself as a trusted guide to local culture, dining, entertainment, and business. Publishing the Top Attorneys list is one way Pasadena Magazine provides insight into the professional and business resources in and around Pasadena. The list highlights lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the community and earned the respect of their peers.

Congratulations, Ms. Aghnami!