News & Resources

U.S. Federal Court Judge Temporarily Blocks Presidential Proclamation on Requiring Immigrants to Obtain Health Insurance

November 4, 2019

A U.S. Federal District Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against U.S. President Donald Trump’s proclamation requiring intending immigrants to obtain health insurance within thirty (30) days upon their arrival in the United States or be able to show that they have enough money to pay for

USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Filing Fees for Forms I-129 and I-140

November 1, 2019

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is scheduled to increase premium processing filing fees from US$1410 to US$1440. The increase, which is scheduled to take effect on December 2, 2019, reflects the full amount of inflation from the implementation of premium processing fees in June 2001 through August 2019. The

USCIS Begins Online Filing for Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

October 31, 2019

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has started it’s online filing services for Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. An I-130 is the first step to bring a spouse, child, parent(s), or siblings to the United States by a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. “Form I-130 is on the

Can I apply for a visitor visa or student visa and enter the United States while my I-526 Petition or immigrant visa application is pending?

October 28, 2019

A nonimmigrant visa is for persons wanting to enter the U.S. for a temporary visit for a specific purpose and who will leave the U.S. when the purpose of their visit is finished. In most nonimmigrant visa categories, this is called establishing “nonimmigrant intent”. The most common nonimmigrant visas are

David Enterline to speak at EB-5 Conference in Seattle, Washington

October 24, 2019

David Enterline will serve as a panel moderator at the 9th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum in Seattle, October 29-30. David will moderate the panel – “Investor Relations: Communication, Transparency & Record Keeping”. This is a panel of experienced EB-5 Regional Center operators and lawyers with years of experience who

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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