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

Announcement: Limited American Citizen Services in Vietnam Resume on June 1st

May 29, 2020

The United States Mission to Vietnam which includes the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City has announced the resumption of limited American Citizen Services (“ACS”) beginning on June 1st. Interested U.S. citizens who are seeking ACS assistance including Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, U.S.

Lawful Permanent Residents and Other Foreign Nationals of the United States Must Always Update Their Address if They Move

January 16, 2024

In the United States, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records is crucial for individuals holding Lawful Permanent Resident status and those on nonimmigrant visas or in other status. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) requires that foreign nationals promptly update their address whenever they move. Importance of Address Updates: The

USCIS Announces Inflation Adjustment to Premium Processing Fees

January 5, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will increase Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing filing fees. After leaving these fees unchanged for three (3) years, the charges for certain premium processing cases will increase from $1500 to $1685, $1750 to $1965, and $2500 to $2805, depending on the

DOS Extends Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Through 2024

December 27, 2023

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has consular officers’ authority to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visas from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The announcement, which was made on December 21, 2023 replaces the previous policy extending nonimmigrant visa waivers through December 31, 2023 and allows

White House Announces Pilot Program for H-1B Stateside Renewals

December 22, 2023

The White House has given the approval for a pilot program allowing a limited number of foreign nationals who are in the United States on H-1B nonimmigrant visas to renew their visas without having to leave the country. The United States Department of State indicated that the pilot program, RIN

Biden Issues Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry to Individuals Engaged in Significant Corruption

December 20, 2023

On December 11, 2023, U.S. President Joseph Biden issued Proclamation 10685, Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Enabling Corruption (“Proclamation”). The Proclamation, which also includes immediate family members is intended to prevent individuals who engage in significant corruption from accessing the United States. The Proclamation, which is

USCIS Clarifies Sustainment Period Policy from the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

December 15, 2023

On October 12, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) posted Questions and Answers to announce new policy following the passing of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) on March 15, 2022. With the Q&A, USCIS announces its interpretation of the sustainment period following the

What is the Adam Walsh Act Child Protection and Safety Act?

November 29, 2023

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (“AWA”) is a U.S. federal statute that aims to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crimes. The AWA was named after Adam Walsh, a child who was abducted and murdered in the State of Florida in 1981. Following young

What Happens If My Nonimmigrant Visa Is Revoked By CBP At The Port-of-Entry?

November 27, 2023

If your nonimmigrant visa (i.e. B-1/ B-2, F-1, etc.) is revoked by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) Agency at a U.S. Port-of-Entry, it means that the CBP Officer determined that you are inadmissible to enter the United States. Once your nonimmigrant visa is canceled, you will not be

What is Humantarian Reinstatement of an I-130 Petition?

November 21, 2023

When the petitioner of an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“I-130 Petition”) dies, it typically has repercussions for the beneficiary(s) of that Petition. The fate of the Petition depends on the stage of where the Petition was at the time of the petitioner’s death. Before Petition Approval: If the petitioner

How Can I Expedite a Petition with USCIS?

November 17, 2023

Expediting a Petition (i.e. I-130 Petition for Alien Relative or I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé or Fiancée) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) can be challenging. There are limited circumstances in which USCIS may consider expediting a Petition that is currently undergoing processing at one of its

Immigrant Visa

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