News & Resources

Update on Employer’s Training Obligation for Optional Practical Training Extension For STEM Students

January 9, 2019

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated their website so that the training experience of F-1 visa international students who receive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees can no longer complete their optional practical training (OPT) in the workplace of their employer’s clients or customers. The

U.S. Department of State Vietnam Visa Approvals for July, August, and September 2018

November 10, 2018

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released its visa issuance statistics for July, August and September 2018. Immigrant Visas For Vietnamese nationals, a total 2,637 immigrant visas were issued in July; 3,836 were issued in August; and 2,393 were issued in September. July: Only 83 of the immigrant

Is a Final Rule Coming on Changes to EB-5, Especially an Increase to the Minimum Investment Amount?

November 6, 2018

Is a Final Rule Coming on Changes to EB-5, Especially an Increase to the Minimum Investment Amount? The answer: Maybe. Currently, any change to the US$500,000 minimum investment amount in a Targeted Employment Area (proposed increase to US$1,350,000) would require the publication of the Final Rule for the related “EB-5

Homeland Security Proposes To Define “Public Charge” For Immigration Purposes

September 25, 2018

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that it will define the term “public charge” for immigration purposes. Currently, interviewing consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates are authorized to refuse a visa if it is in their opinion that they are likely to become a public charge.

October Visa Bulletin EB-5 Visa Category Now “Unauthorized” for Visa Issuance

September 19, 2018

Last week, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October Visa Bulletin. The EB-5 Regional Center category has been listed as “U” meaning unauthorized for issuance. This is because the Immigrant Investor Program (aka Regional Center Program) is set to expire on September 30, 2018. The

Enterline files Form I-526E and Enters the New Era of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

September 13, 2022

September 8, 2022 began a new era for Enterline and Partners in the EB-5 immigrant Investor Program as Managing Partner David Enterline filed a Form I-526E “Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor” for an EB-5 immigrant investor seeking lawful permanent residence under the EB-5 immigrant visa category. The investor, a

Can Pregnant Women Travel to the United States?

September 2, 2022

Following the Department of State’s amended regulations addressing birth tourism in January 2020, questions continue to be raised whether a pregnant woman may travel to the U.S. on a valid B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa for the sole purpose of giving birth regardless of whether she was issued the B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa

Settlement Agreement Confirms EB-5 Regional Center Program and Investors Can Move Forward

August 31, 2022

On August 25, 2022 a settlement was reached in two cases between multiple plaintiffs against the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) that re-authorized previously approved regional centers which USCIS had deauthorized following the enactment of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act in March 2022. The settlement agrees to

USCIS Makes COVID Policy on Copies of Signatures Permanent

August 25, 2022

On March 20, 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) implemented temporary changes, announcing that it would accept all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures for submissions starting March 21, 2020. Up to that time, USCIS accepted many petitions,

USCIS Alert Regarding Fee Payments for Concurrent EB-5 Forms I-526 Petition and I-485 Applications

August 8, 2022

The USCIS has posted an Alert regarding fee payments for concurrent EB-5 Form I-526 Petition and Form I-485 Adjustment of Status Applications on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program webpage. “ALERT: Beginning Sept. 1, 2022, we will no longer accept a single, combined fee payment

USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests Into October 2022

July 27, 2022

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities to respond to agency requests through October 23, 2022. The flexibility, which has been previously extended applies if the issuance date listed on the request, notice or decision was issued between March 1, 2020, and October 23, 2022,

CATEGORY

Supreme Court Hands the Trump Administration a Partial Victory in Ongoing Birthright Citizenship Litigation

When Do Sponsor Obligations End Under Form I-864?

United States Announces New Visa Policies Targeting Chinese Nationals

U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong Announces New Policy for Immigrant Visa Applicants