News & Resources

Biden Revokes Trump’s Executive Order Restricting Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

February 25, 2021

United States President Joseph Biden has revoked former President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (“EO”) restricting certain immigrant and non-immigrant applicants from visa processing. Intended to protect U.S. jobs at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump issued an EO on April 23, 2020 suspending selected immigrant visa applicants which

EB-2 Visa Approved in Manila

February 23, 2021

Enterline and Partners is pleased to share that we were able to overcome a refusal for one of our clients who was successfully issued an EB-2 Immigrant Visa in the Philippines. Our client, a healthcare provider, was petitioned by a U.S. employer as a physical therapist. After the Form I-140

Writ of Mandamus for EB-5 immigrant investors update

February 2, 2021

In June we wrote about the option of filing a Writ of Mandamus for EB-5 investors whose I-526 Petitions have been pending for a long time without a decision. In August 2020, Enterline and Partners assisted one of its clients to file a Writ of Mandamus for an EB-5 immigrant

Interest in the EB 5 visa returning with 75 investors from July through September 2020

January 26, 2021

Following the increase to the minimum investment in a targeted employment area, from US$500,000 to US$900,000 in November 2019 [see here, here and here], interest in the EB-5 immigrant investor visa significantly dropped in early 2020. Data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) on quarterly filings indicated

USCIS to Replace Sticker That Extends Validity of Green Cards

January 25, 2021

Starting in January 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (“LPRs”) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”). The new document will be a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action

AILA – Practice Advisory: Immigrant Visa (Green Card) Processing Delays

June 28, 2021

Update: The Department of State has updated their triad approach. For more information, click here. After enduring the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year, most U.S. embassies and consulates are not operating at full capacity. Due to limited appointment availability, a significant backlog was created for immigrant (IV) and nonimmigrant visa

USCIS Policy Update to “Requests for Evidence” and “Notices of Intent to Deny”

June 27, 2021

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has issued new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the circumstances in which officers should issue Requests for Evidence (“RFEs”) and Notices of Intent to Deny (“NOIDs”). In 2013, USCIS published guidance instructing officers to issue RFEs in cases involving

U.S. District Court Rules to Overturn EB-5 Regulations; Investment Amount Reduced to $500,000 – for Now.

June 25, 2021

On June 22, 2021, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California issued an order granting summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff, Behring Regional Center, in the lawsuit Behring filed against the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). The order was given in the matter of Behring

AILA – The Non-Immigrant Visa Interview Waiver Process

June 21, 2021

Individuals who are required to obtain a visa to enter the United States must apply at a U.S. consulate abroad. A critical part of the application process involves an in-person interview at the consulate to verify information in the application and ask questions about eligibility for the visa. If the visa

USCIS Announces New Policy Highlights for Expedited Processing

June 15, 2021

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has released a new policy update pertaining to expedited processing. Under the updated criteria, USCIS provides further guidance as to whether expedited processing may be warranted. The new policy highlights include the following: Clarifies criteria and circumstances under which USCIS will generally

What is a Proxy Marriage and Can it Be Filed with USCIS?

June 14, 2021

With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing and having a profound impact on families being separated by travel restrictions, engaged couples from around the world are becoming more creative in solemnizing their marriage vows. What was once a little-known concept used more often by military couples while the U.S. citizen was

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