U.S. State Department Stiffens the Bar on Immigrant Visas for Communist Party Members

September 12, 2025

This article is posted here in English and translated into Vietnamese and posted courtesy of the author, Gary Chodorow of Chodorow Law Offices. You can find the original article on Gary’s website at: https://lawandborder.com/u-s-state-department-stiffens-the-bar-on-immigrant-visas-for-communist-party-members/ Introduction The U.S. State Department has updated its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) to toughen the statutory

Increased Investment Amounts Of The RIA

September 11, 2025

The Increased Investment Amounts section of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) raises the minimum investment thresholds to adjust for inflation and ensure the continued effectiveness of the program in promoting economic growth and job creation in the United States. Under the updated rules, the standard investment

Everything You Need to Know About the U.S. Immigration Medical Exam

September 9, 2025

All immigrant visa applicants (i.e. those applying for a Green Card) are required to complete a medical exam at a designated clinic by a panel physician as part of the process. The purpose of the exam is to ensure that applicants are not carriers of any serious infectious diseases or

DOS Will Now Require Immigrant Visa Applicants to Interview in Place of Residence or Country of Nationality

September 5, 2025

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) is now requiring immigrant visa applicants to apply for immigrant visas in the consular district designated for their place of residence or in their country of nationality. Effective immediately, if an immigrant visa applicant would like to transfer his or her pending immigrant

USCIS to Require New Form I-131 Edition on October 11 2024

October 16, 2024

Beginning October 11, 2024, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will publish a new edition of the Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The Form I-131 will be renamed “Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/ Departure Records”. Because of a significant change in the revised form,

Enterline and Partners Featured Clients on Successfully Naturalizing as a U.S. Citizen

October 11, 2024

Enterline and Partners is pleased to feature its clients, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Schroeder on a successful case outcome. In mid-2020 during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were referred to our office regarding their desire to immigrate to the United States. Mr. Schroeder, an

Understanding Immediate Relative (IR-1) And Conditional Resident (CR-1) Visas For Spouses of U.S. Citizens

October 4, 2024

A U.S. citizen is eligible to sponsor a spouse to immigrate to the United States as long as certain criteria are met. The type of visa that is issued and the resulting permanent resident status differs based on the length of the marriage at the time that the beneficiary spouse

USCIS Updates Guidance for F and M Nonimmigrant Visa Classification

October 1, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its guidance effective immediately regarding when students who are in either F or M nonimmigrant visa classification may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (“STEM”) field. The updated guidance, which is found

U.S. Embassy in Manila to Launch New Visa Application Center and Additional Consular Services

October 1, 2024

Beginning September 28, 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Manila will open a new Visa Application Center (“VAC”), launch an updated visa appointment system, and expand call center services to U.S. citizens in the Philippines. The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. Paranaque

The New U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for United States Citizens

September 26, 2024

On September 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) launched a new version of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (“STEP”). The STEP is a free service allowing U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so DOS can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency. Existing

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