On May 30, 2013, USCIS finally issued the much anticipated Final EB-5 Adjudications Policy Memorandum. The Final EB-5 Adjudications Policy Memorandum makes significant changes to and provides clarifications for the EB-5 Program. Here are some of the highlights: Less Regional Center Amendments: The new memo states that USCIS does not require formal amendments to regional… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: May 2013
Jennifer Hermansky Recognized as “Rising Star” by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
Posted in MarketingAttorney Jennifer Hermansky was recently recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in Immigration law for 2013. According to the Super Lawyers website, the Rising Star selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement, as well as a third party research.
EB-5 Team to Host Event at IIUSA EB-5 Conference on June 20th
Posted in MarketingThe EB-5 Team of Greenberg Traurig’s Business Immigration & Compliance Practice invites you to a Happy Hour during the IIUSA Conference. Thursday, June 20, 2013 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. The Mirage Hotel Montego Room A 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109 Click here for directions Please RSVP to Kate Kalmykov at kalmykovk@gtlaw.com… Continue Reading
Greenberg Traurig Immigration Attorneys Ranked in 2013 Chambers USA Guide
Posted in MarketingThe 2013 Chambers USA Guide includes 186 Greenberg Traurig attorneys in 33 practice areas, including the Immigration Practice and Corporate & Securities Practice that received “Band 1” placement in statewide and/or nationwide rankings. Attorney Kate Kalmykov was also recognized as “Up and Coming” in Immigration law, and Martha Schoonover and Laura Reiff received “Band 2”… Continue Reading
Greenberg Traurig to Host National EB-5 Finance Seminar Tour in Philadelphia
Posted in Uncategorized2013 National EB-5 Finance Seminar Tour Philadelphia June 26, 2013 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM – Registration 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM – Program Advanced & Practical In-Depth EB-5 Finance Workshop Greenberg Traurig LLP will host the fifth event of the 2013 National EB-5 Finance Seminar Tour in Philadelphia. The seminar will expose participants to… Continue Reading
EB-5 Legislation Debuts in the House as Part of the “Supplying Knowledge-Based Immigrants and Lifting Levels of STEM Visas Act,” or the “SKILLS Visa Act”
Posted in EB-5 ProgramAs immigration reform moved toward approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 21, 2013, another stand-alone bill (H.R. 2131) has been introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) in the House. Mr. Issa is the chairman of the House Oversight Committee but, more importantly to the immigration reform debate, he sits on the House Judiciary Committee. Mr. Issa’s… Continue Reading
Ali Brodie Authors Article in Law Week Colorado
Posted in EB-5 Job Creation, EB-5 ProgramAli Brodie recently published an article in Law Week Colorado outlining the economic benefits of regional centers. In “Foreign Investment Boosts Commercial Development, Job Growth in the State,” Brodie outlines how the EB-5 Program works, what it means for the Colorado economy and expediting the visa application process.
Three Greenberg Traurig Attorneys to Speak at Southern California EB-5 Conference
Posted in EB-5 Program, Speaking EngagementAttorneys Genna Garver, Kate Kalmykov and Jennifer Hermansky will serve as speakers at the Southern California EB-5 Conference hosted by EB-5Investors.com. The conference, co-hosted by Kate Kalmykov, will be on July 15th in Newport Beach, California, and feature keynote speaker United States Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Topics include recent developments to… Continue Reading
A Conversation with USCIS
Posted in EB-5 Program, USCIS Public EngagementBy: James Cormie On May 23, 2013, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will hold a “conversation” regarding the implementation of the new Electronic Immigration System (ELIS). ELIS will transform the current EB-5 paper submission system into an online submission. At the stakeholder teleconference on March 28, there were several concerns regarding the repeated submission… Continue Reading
Senator Leahy Amendment 2 Passes in the Senate
Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, EB-5 ProgramJennifer Hermansky has published an analysis of Senator Leahy’s Amendment 2 to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill on EB-5 Visa Blog. Amendment 2 passed in the Senate yesterday despite efforts by Senator Grassley to strike the special rule for alien investors. This amendment brings significant enchantments to the EB-5 Program. To read the full article click here.
Ali Brodie Speaks at ULI Hotel Development Council Spring Meeting
Posted in EB-5 Program, Speaking EngagementAli Brodie will serve as a speaker at the 2013 Urban Land Institute Hotel Development Council Spring Meeting in Coronado, California on Thursday, May 16th. The workshop is entitled “EB-5 Financing” and will outline the qualifications, process and benefits of establishing a Regional Center under the EB-5 Program. Click here for a full agenda and… Continue Reading
EB-5 Amendment Set for Vote
Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, EB-5 ProjectSenator Leahy’s Amendment 2 to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, S. 744 provides that, at the I-829 stage, there is a presumption that 10 indirect jobs have been created per investor if the I-829 petition evidence demonstrates that the investor’s money has been spent in the regional center’s project. This is significantly different than the… Continue Reading
U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou Stops Visa Interviews
Posted in EB-5 Program, Immigrant VisaU.S. officials are reporting that an employee found and opened an envelope containing a “powder.” As a result, the U.S. Consulate General shut down the Tianyu office for two days. A two-day closure could affect some 1,800 visas of the 121,000 they annually process. This is significant for EB-5 because the Tianyu office contains the… Continue Reading
Senator Leahy Proposes EB-5 Amendment to Immigration Reform Bill
Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, EB-5 ProgramLaura Reiff has published an article on EB-5 Visa Blog analyzing the recent EB-5 amendment proposed by Senator Patrick Leahy to The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. This amendment carries the potential for significant changes to the EB-5 Program. To read the full article click here.
Greenberg Traurig Recognized as Top 25 Corporate Law Firm
Posted in General, MarketingGreenberg Traurig’s Corporate & Securities Practice has been recognized by Corporate Board Member magazine on its U.S. list of the Top 25 National Law Firm General Counsel’s Rankings. According to their website, the award derives from the votes of directors and general counsel of public companies, who were asked to rank the national firms they would… Continue Reading
Anatomy of a Successful EB-5 Expedite Request
Posted in EB-5 Investment, EB-5 Program, EB-5 Project, Regional CenterWe are often asked by regional center clients if there is any way to speed up the EB-5 application process, either at the I-526 stage or the I-924 stage. USCIS will expedite either Form I-924 or Form I-526 if the application meets the USCIS “expedite criteria.” The expedite criteria are: Severe financial loss to a… Continue Reading
Update on EB-5 Processing from USCIS
Posted in EB-5 Program, Inspector General, Speaking Engagement, USCIS Public EngagementKate Kalmykov, Alissa Brodie and I attended the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association Mexico City EB-5 Conference, “Show Me the Jobs,” on May 2, 2013 in Miami, Florida. The lunch program of the conference featured guest speaker, Rob Silvers, Senior Counselor to USCIS Director, Alejandro Mayorkas. Mr. Silvers addressed the conference, giving an update on the… Continue Reading
California Announces New TEA Policy
Posted in EB-5 Program, TEAJennifer Hermansky and James Cormie published an article on EB-5 Visa Blog outlining the state of California’s recently updated TEA (Targeted Employment Area) Policy. The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development announced the new policy earlier this week, which offers much-needed flexibility to the EB-5 program and encourages investment in the California. For… Continue Reading
Kalmykov and Hermansky Serve as Speakers at AILA EB-5 Conference
Posted in EB-5 Investment, Speaking EngagementLast week, attorneys Kate Kalmykov and Jennifer Hermansky spoke at the AILA Mexico City District Chapter’s EB-5 Conference “Show Me the Jobs” in Miami, Florida. The all-day conference included six panels, lunch and a cocktail reception, with Rob Silvers Esq., Senior Counselor to the Director of USCIS, Washington, D.C. as keynote speaker. Kate served as… Continue Reading
Kate Kalmykov Speaks at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Immigration Summit
Posted in Marketing, Speaking EngagementKate Kalmykov recently spoke at the United States Chamber of Commerce “Reforming Immigration for a Better America” Immigration Summit on April 26th. The summit included remarks by President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Thomas J. Donohue, Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC,) and Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ted Poe… Continue Reading