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Clarissa Upadhyay focuses on immigration law, handling nonimmigrant and immigrant employment-based cases, marriage and family-based cases, permanent residence status applications through the PERM system, and citizenship and naturalization applications. She represents both large multinational and small to mid-sized companies on the full range of employment-based immigration, ranging from nonimmigrant visa categories (H-1B, L-1A/B, E-3, E-2. TN, O-1, J-1) to permanent residence (PERM, National Interest Waivers, Extraordinary Ability/Outstanding Researcher, Multi-National Managers).

She works with investors and entrepreneurs on visa matters, including the EB-5 investor visa program for individuals investing in newly commercial enterprises or regional center projects. Clarissa guides investors and their families through all phases of the EB-5 immigration process.

With annual appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having lapsed on Feb. 14, 2026, immigration stakeholders are again navigating the practical consequences of a DHS-specific shutdown. Despite the current shutdown, most DHS immigration functions continue, but the impact may vary across agencies and programs. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department…

In an Aug. 15 policy memo, USCIS issued new guidance on how it will evaluate “good moral character” (GMC) for naturalization applicants.

USCIS is moving away from a checklist-style review toward a more rigorous, holistic, and comprehensive assessment. The goal is to ensure that applicants granted U.S. citizenship are not only free from disqualifying acts…