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EB-5 Insights Where Government Policies and Business Realities Converge

Tag Archives: Greenberg Traurig

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in EB-5, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, USCIS

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary held an oversight hearing on the Immigrant Investor EB-5 program.  The well-attended full committee hearing focused on reported fraud within the current program and the path forward for EB-5.  The sole witness was USCIS Director Francis Cissna. There were a few takeaways from the hearing, including: Director… Continue Reading

By Jennifer Hermansky on Posted in I-829, USCIS

On June 11, 2018, USCIS announced that Petitioners who file Form I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, will receive a Form I-797 receipt notice that can be presented with their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, as evidence of continued status for 18 months past the expiration date on their conditional… Continue Reading

By Sylvia Sobczyk on Posted in I-829, USCIS

On May 2, 2018, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Alert regarding an update made to the USCIS Policy Manual related to the documentation for conditional permanent resident (CPR) status provided by USCIS to immigrant investors with pending I-829 petitions.  Every EB-5 investor with CPR status must file an I-829… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, Eb-5 Regional Center, USCIS

Today, the Office of Management and Budget via the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs published the Spring Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions . This bi-annual publication informs the public of regulations under consideration or planned by federal agencies.  Agencies are not bound by these postings, but transparency in the rulemaking process is… Continue Reading

By Sylvia Sobczyk on Posted in EB-5, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, I-829, Immigrant Investor, USCIS

Due to a recent system conversion at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), all I-829 receipt notices and ASC Appointment notices are now delayed 90 days or more.  This may be dismaying for many EB-5 investors and their dependent family members who may have waited a long time to reach this final step… Continue Reading

By Nataliya Rymer on Posted in EB-5 Program, Retrogression, U.S. State Department, Vietnam Retrogression

The U.S. State Department has released its monthly Visa Bulletin for the month of May 2018.  Notably, the priority dates for the Regional Center EB-5 category for nationals of Vietnam have become subject to retrogression.  As of May 1, 2018, only those approved Vietnamese EB-5 investors under the Regional Center Pilot Program whose EB-5 petitions… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in Department of State, Immigrant Visa, Uncategorized

The Department of State (DOS) has noticed for public comment an Information Collection Review – Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration  that would require immigrants coming to the United States to submit five years of social media history. This effort is viewed by many as a component of “enhanced vetting” on behalf of the… Continue Reading

By Kate Kalmykov on Posted in Department of State, EB-5, EB-5 Processing Times, Green Cards, Vietnamese

As you may know, the EB-5 immigrant visa category is expected to retrogress for Vietnam this year.  Below is a guide to frequently asked questions pertaining to the announcement of retrogression. 1. Is there a mechanism by which my child or children may continue to be eligible for immigrant visas as my dependents based on… Continue Reading

By Kate Kalmykov on Posted in Department of State, EB-5, Retrogression, Vietnamese, Visa Bulletin

Each month, the Department of State (DOS) issues a visa bulletin which contains information regarding the availability of immigrant visas. The availability of immigrant visas is subject to numerical caps imposed by Congress, which limit how many foreign nationals may obtain immigrant visas each year. In the employment-based green card category Congress allots 140,000 immigrant… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in EB-5, EB-5 Program, Omnibus Appropriations Act

Today, President Trump signed the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2018, that includes an extension of the EB-5 program until Sept. 30, 2018, along with the Conrad 30 program for foreign doctors and the Special Immigrant Religious Workers program.  The bill also includes a 3-year reauthorization of the E-Verify program (Sept. 30, 2020). Today’s… Continue Reading

By Nadia Sowinski* on Posted in Department of State, EB-5, Immigration

The Department of State (DOS) has informed EB-5 stakeholders that retrogression of the EB-5 category in the chargeability area including Vietnam, is imminent; however, DOS is unable to provide specific dates of which priority dates will retrogress at this time, though it did clarify that this is not going to occur in April 2018. As… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in EB-5

On March 21, Congressional leaders released a 2232 page, $1.3 trillion dollar Omnibus Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2018 with language extending the EB-5 program until Sept. 30, 2018. SEC. 204. Section 610(b) of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (8 U.S.C. 1153 note) shall be applied… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in Green Cards, USCIS

On March 14, USCIS released an Inspector General’s report on Green Card Processing Times.   The report found that green card processing times exceeded the existing 120-day goal by taking an average of 282 days to complete. The report identified processing times are greatly affected by interviews and vetting occurring at USCIS. The report made two… Continue Reading

By Greenberg Traurig on Posted in Events, Immigration

GT hosted a Washington, D.C. reception of the National Immigration Forum (NIF) on “What Drives The Immigration Debate: A Conversation.” Welcoming remarks were made by Eddie Aldrete, Senior Vice President, IBC Bank, and Board Chair of the National Immigration Forum that recognized Laura Reiff, immediate past Chairman of the NIF, for her former and continued… Continue Reading

By John K. Wells on Posted in Securities Law

FINRA recently issued Notice to Members 17-42, which proposes sweeping changes to the process by which a securities broker may seek to expunge reference to a customer complaint from his or her public record.  The comment period for the proposed rule amendments ended on Feb. 5, 2018.  The proposed changes will now to go the… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), EB-5 Program

Tonight, by a vote of 245-182, the House approved it’s version of the 5th Continuing Resolution (CR), funding government operations and extending government programs, such as EB-5, until March 23.  The bill now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration. As of this writing, it is expected that the Senate will continue overall budget negotiations… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), EB-5

Tonight, House Appropriations Chairman, Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), filed a fifth short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) extending government funding and important programs, such as EB-5,  from Feb. 8 until March 23.  After late-night Conference meetings, House Republicans developed the framework and timing of the CR. The CR is expected to be acted upon by the House later this week. … Continue Reading

By Laura Foote Reiff and on Posted in DACA

A business coalition and many of its members continues to work for passage of a permanent bipartisan legislation solution for Dreamers living, working, and contributing to our economy.   https://www.coalitionfortheamericandream.us/. More than 100 CEOs of businesses from across the industry spectrum and across the United States are represented in this effort. The economics of DACA to the… Continue Reading

By Scott Decker and on Posted in Department of Homeland Security, Travel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Travelers continue to experience heightened scrutiny at U.S. Ports of Entry. Whether the travel is for business or pleasure, travelers often carry an electronic device such as a cell phone or laptop. The current administration’s focus on border security has made travelers increasingly concerned about how to protect personal and corporate data contained on electronic devices.

By Robert Y. Maples and on Posted in Conrad 30 Waiver Program, Continuing Resolution (CR), E-Verify, EB-5 Program, President Trump's Administration

On Monday evening, President Trump signed the Continuing Resolution (CR) into law ending the three-day, 69-hour government shutdown. In addition to funding the government and other policy-related matters, the CR extends EB-5, E-Verify, Conrad 30, and the Religious Workers immigration programs until Feb. 8. Immigration issues will likely occupy most of the Congressional agenda during… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples, , and on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR)

By a vote of 266-150 on Jan. 22  (three days after  the previous extension deadline of midnight on Jan. 19), the House passed the Senate amendment, extending Continuing Appropriations for government services and programs to Feb. 8. The bill now goes to the president who is expected to sign it into law. Today’s action extends… Continue Reading

By Laura Foote Reiff on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), EB-5, Government Shutdown

Late Friday (Jan. 19)  the U.S. Senate failed to pass the House of Representatives approved Continuing Resolution (or CR).  As of January 20th the federal government is in a shutdown.  It appears that the Senate will attempt another CR vote to extend vital programs, such as EB-5, through Feb. 8, 2018. This vote could come… Continue Reading

By Robert Y. Maples and on Posted in Continuing Resolution (CR), EB-5 Program

Late Thursday (Jan. 18), the U.S. House of Representatives approved a Continuing Resolution (or CR) to prevent a government shutdown and extend vital programs, such as EB-5, through Feb. 16, 2018. The House approved the measure mainly on party lines by a vote of 230-197. Six Democrats voted in favor of the CR with a majority of… Continue Reading