Clarification on STEM OPT Extension Reporting Responsibilities and Training Obligations

August 20, 2018

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced clarification for F-1 visa students completing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) participating in an Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). In a document dated August 17, 2018 posted on the USCIS website, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified

Final Guidelines on Unlawful Presence for Students and Exchange Visitors

August 13, 2018

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) August 9, 2018 policy memorandum revises the calculation of unlawful presence of those under F, J, or M nonimmigrant visa status and their dependents during their stay in the United States. Under the new memorandum, those holding F, J, or M visas who

USCIS Adjudicator’s Discretion Restored in Denying Applications, Petitions and Requests without Issuing RFE’s or NOIDS.

July 22, 2018

In a new policy memorandum issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last July 13, 2018, USCIS adjudicators are given discretion to deny applications, petitions, or requests without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if the initial evidence is

U.S. Department of State Vietnam Visa Approvals for May and June 2018

July 10, 2018

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has published a list of visa issuances for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for the months of May and June 2018. There were 1,643 immigrant visas issued for Vietnamese nationals in May. Eighty-four were IR-1 visas and 187 were CR-1 visas. The IR-1 visa

How to Apply for Naturalization if your American Spouse is Stationed Abroad

June 27, 2018

Vietnamese spouses of U.S. citizens are generally eligible for green cards and eventually U.S. citizenship based on their marriage. In general, a person may only be naturalized after showing that they have resided in the United States as a green card holder for a certain prescribed period of time. However,

Enterline Obtains another Approval to Expedite Investor’s I-526 Petition

May 5, 2022

Enterline and Partners Consulting Managing Partner David Enterline has obtained another approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Investor Program Office (“USCIS IPO”) to expedite the review of his investor’s I-526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur (“I-526 Petition”). An approval of a request to expedite the review of

Department of State Announces Resumption of Processing of EB-5 Visas Associated with the Regional Center Program

April 26, 2022

On April 12, 2022 the United States Department of State (“DOS”) posted this notice on its website: “On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed (the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“Act”)), that made changes to the EB-5 program, authorized a new EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, and directed

David Enterline Receives I-829 Approval Award From IIUSA

April 22, 2022

David Enterline of Enterline and Partners was recognized by IIUSA as having obtained I-829 approvals for his EB-5 immigrant investor clients in 2020 and 2021. David will be recognized along with a select group of EB-5 Regional Centers and experienced EB-5 attorneys successfully assisting their investors and clients. The award

What is Extreme Hardship in a Waiver Application?

April 22, 2022

One way immigrant visa applicants may be eligible for a waiver of a refused immigrant visa is to file a Form I-601 Waiver of Inadmissibility through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and demonstrate that they have a qualifying U.S. relative (spouse or child) and who would suffer “extreme

USCIS Posts Notices Regarding the EB-5 Regional Center Program Petition Processing

April 15, 2022

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has posted several alerts on its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program webpage updating the public on the status of Form I-526 and Form I-829 Petitions. The alerts read: “Alert: We will continue to adjudicate Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident

USCIS Updates Guidance on Employment Authorization for E and L Nonimmigrant Spouses

April 3, 2022

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated guidance in its USCIS Policy Manual to address the documentation that E and L nonimmigrant spouses may use as evidence of employment authorization based on their nonimmigrant status. On November 12, 2021, the USCIS issued a policy announcement to clarify that it

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