Star immigration attorney Sheela Murthy says the Trump years are going to be crammed with lawsuits by immigrants who feel wronged because of the chaotic policies being unleashed by the White House. She speaks on the H1B, the H4, approved I-140 petitions and the RAISE Act.

Top immigration lawyer Sheela Murthy says the last few weeks have been pockmarked with "horror stories" at border posts in the USA, especially for H4 visa holders - spouses of H1B workers. Even those with valid visas and advance parole are being stopped and sent back. For H1B workers, 221 G refusals ( basis request for additional documentation) have spiked, the new pet Bill being pushed by President Donald Trump - the RAISE Act - seeks to take America back to an immigration pattern that existed before 1965. In the name of high skills, the effort is to keep people of color out, says Sheela Murthy. She speaks at length on both the historical perspective of the upheaval and explains what might happen if the RAISE Act passes, even if not in its current form. The interview is in two parts, embedded here for your convenience. Soon, the full interview will be transcribed too. For those whose pain points are the H4 visa and the I-140, Sheela Murthy's comments specifically on those items are also here below the main interview.

Murthy's last word on the RAISE Act:

"I hope this (RAISE Act) does not pass but strange things have happened in the last one year. Roadblock after roadblock will happen. They are pretending as if they are giving you something but they're actually giving you nothing. Write to your senators, write to your lawmakers, the history of this country is such that just because you came here 20 years earlier than the other person, that does not make you superior. We have all the ingredients here for a great class-action lawsuit and I am happy to take that up on behalf of all Indians."

Related links: RAISE Act is not about the nuts and bolts, it's about how white men feel

H1B visas on Planet Trump

Sheela Murthy on the H4 visa. Soon after Trump took office, the H4 visa escalated as long-time anti-H4 voices found their sweet spot again. Department of Justice is where the issue is on hold now.

What if you have an approved I-140? Where do you stand as of today?