DOS Provides Update on Public Charge Inadmissibility Following Temporary Injunction

August 12, 2020

DOS Provides Update on Public Charge Inadmissibility Following Temporary Injunction Following a nationwide injunction issued by a federal judge temporarily blocking Public Charge inadmissibility from being enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) will be updating its guidance to consular officers on how to

Announcement: USCIS Filing Fee for Immigration Forms Changes to Become Effective on October 2, 2020

August 7, 2020

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has posted for public inspection an advanced copy of a final rule that will significantly alter many fees the USCIS charges for services, including adding new fees, establishing multiple fees for nonimmigrant worker petitions, and limiting the number of beneficiaries for certain

Announcement: Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks DOS and DHS from Implementing Public Charge Inadmissibility

August 4, 2020

A United States federal judge issued a nationwide injunction temporarily blocking the Department of State (“DOS”) and the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) from enforcing Public Charge inadmissibility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge George McDaniels of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Announcement: CDC Issues One Month Extension on Immigrant Visa Medical Evaluations

July 29, 2020

The United States Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) has approved a one-month extension on medical evaluations conducted for immigrant visa applications between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Immigrant visa applicants who obtained medical clearances as well as those who had their immigrant visas issued but were unable to

Hong Kong Born Nationals Facing Long Wait Times for Immigrant Visas

July 28, 2020

On July 14, 2020 President Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act of 2020 and at the same time signed The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization. The intent of this Executive Order (“EO”) is to suspend or eliminate different and preferential treatment for Hong Kong, including the treatment

Enterline and Partners Successfully Expedites CR-1 Visa with Direct Consular Filing at U.S. Embassy in Manila

July 13, 2020

Enterline and Partners recently represented a newlywed couple living in the Philippines in an expedited I-130 Petition for Alien Relative at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The couple, a U.S. citizen and a Philippines citizen, were married in the United States and living in Manila. The expedited filing, which was

Trump’s Amended Immigration Ban Exempts Children of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

June 29, 2020

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s June 22nd proclamation amending a previous Executive Order (“EO”) restricting immigration to certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, an exemption has been granted to children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The previous EO issued on April 22nd formally known as the “Proclamation Suspending Entry

Actions to Take When a Client’s I-526 Petition Enters Processing Limbo

June 24, 2020

EB-5 investors and projects continue to contend with lengthy delays in the processing of I-526 Petitions. Average processing times have steadily increased over the past few years, in stark contrast to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) new Investor Program Office (“IPO”) statements that it would reverse the trend

The Writ of Mandamus for EB-5 Immigrant Investors

June 16, 2020

Announcement: USCIS to Resume In-Person Services on June 4

June 3, 2020

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is scheduled to resume non-emergency in-person services on June 4th. On March 18, USCIS suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As USCIS services recommence, offices will reduce the number

What is ESTA and How is it Used to Enter the United States

June 26, 2024

What is ESTA? Short for “The Electronic System for Travel Authorization” (“ESTA”) Visa Waiver Program is a program of the United States government to facilitate visa-free travel for eligible citizens from participating countries. Launched in 2009, ESTA streamlines the process for visitors entering the U.S. for purposes of pleasure, tourism,

What is the Parole-in-Place Announcement By President Biden?

June 24, 2024

On June 18, 2024, President Joe Biden announced a series of immigration actions by using an Executive Order (“EO”). The EO, formally known as Parole-in-Place, are designed to help certain undocumented aliens obtain lawful presence within the United States. It consists of the following: Spouses and children of U.S. citizens

David Enterline speaks at IIUSA EB-5 Conference in Atlanta Georgia

June 21, 2024

Enterline and Partners Managing Partner David Enterline attended the IIUSA 14th Annual EB-5 Industry Forum in Atlanta, Georgia in May and spoke on the panel “Investor Markets Overview: New Opportunities“. IIUSA is the national membership-based EB-5 industry association for EB-5 Regional Centers and other EB-5 stakeholders and professionals. Its members

USCIS Updates Policy Manual on Family-Based Immigrant Visa Approvals

May 27, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has issued an updated policy guidance on Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“Petition”) explaining how the agency handles family-based immigrant visa petition approvals regarding correcting approval notice errors, requests for consular processing or adjustment of status, and routing procedures for approved

What Is A U.S. Visa, Visa Stamp And Visa Foil And What Are These Used For?

May 22, 2024

In U.S. immigration matters, a visa is a document that allows a foreign national to enter the United States for a specific purpose, such as tourism, work, study, family visits (a nonimmigrant visa) or to immigrate (an immigrant visa). It is typically a stamp or sticker placed in the foreign

United States And Vietnam Sign A Memorandum Of Cooperation On Culture And People-To-People Ties

April 17, 2024

The U.S. Department of State has announced a signing a Memorandum of Cooperation on Culture and People-to-People Ties between the United States and Vietnam. See the post on the USDOS website here. “Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Liz Allen and Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield met

DHS Announces Temporary Increase Of The Automatic Extension For Certain EAD Applicants

April 16, 2024

The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced a Temporary Final Rule (“TFR”) providing that the automatic extension period applicable to expiring Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) for renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, will be increased from

USCIS New Filing Fees Effective as of April 1, 2024

April 4, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) new filing fees have taken effect for all files received on or after April 1, 2024. In addition to new filing fees, USCIS has also released new forms for certain petitions. While the new form edition dates begin on April 1, 2024,

Enterline and Partners Attorneys Speak at Regional Conference

March 27, 2024

Enterline and Partners U.S. immigration attorneys, Ryan Barshop and David Enterline recently spoke at the regional American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asia Pacific Chapter (“AILA APAC”) Annual Conference. The conference, which was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was attended by a number of U.S. immigration lawyers from around the

ASC Biometrics Scheduling Issues

March 20, 2024

Following member’s reports to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) that applicants have been receiving biometrics appointment notices either too late or with appointment dates that have already passed, AILA reached out to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to request clarification and resolution. The USCIS acknowledged the

Immigrant Visa

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