USCIS Updated Policy Alert Concerning Direct Consular Filing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates

February 17, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) released an updated policy memorandum advising the Department of States (“DOS”) on adjudicating Form I-130 Petitions for Alien Relatives at U.S. Embassies and Consulates through Direct Consular Filing (“DCF.”) The policy memorandum clarifies that USCIS will no longer accept and adjudicate routine I-130 Petitions

U.S. State Department 2019 Novel Coronavirus Has Not Changed Visa Adjudication

February 13, 2020

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) which oversees the visa adjudication process at U.S. Embassies and Consulates has not released any formal statement indicating that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus has resulted in the suspension of consular operations. A recent social media posting purported to be an official statement from the

What is Lawful Source of Funds and Path of Funds for an EB-5 Immigrant Investor?

February 5, 2020

The investment capital that an EB-5 Investor may use for his or her investment, called the “lawful source of funds” (“SOF”), can come from any source as long as the investor can prove that the capital or funds were obtained lawfully. Some common SOF are salary and bonus income, dividends

USCIS to Change its Processing Policy for I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor EB-5 Petitions

January 31, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced it is changing the way it will process Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, moving from a first-in, first-out basis to a visa availability approach. The Form I-526 Petition is filed by someone wanting to immigrate to the U.S. via the EB-5

The United States Supreme Court To Allow Public Charge Rule To Take Effect

January 30, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Trump Administration policy expanding the government’s ability to refuse immigrant visas and issue green cards to immigrants who are likely to become a Public Charge. The 5-4 ruling, which was divided on ideologically lines, will allow the new rule to

What is the World Cup Visa and FIFA Pass and Do These Allow Fans to Go to the U.S. to Attend Matches?

July 14, 2026

What Is the “World Cup Visa”? Many fans planning to attend the FIFA World Cup wonder whether a special “World Cup visa” is required. The answer is no. The United States, Canada, and Mexico do not issue a separate visa for World Cup attendees. Every fan hoping to attend a

USCIS Proposes EB-5 Regulations to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

July 9, 2026

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has published aNotice of Proposed Rulemaking that would formally implement regulations to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) governing the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the EB-5 Regional Center Program. The proposed regulations represent the most significant regulatory update

Supreme Court Finds Trump’s Executive Order Restricting Birthright Citizenship Unconstitutional

July 3, 2026

The United States Supreme Court has formally struck down President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (“EO”) 14160 restricting birthright citizenship. By a 6-3 vote, the Court held that the long-settled understanding of the 14th Amendment, which was adopted after the American Civil War, holds that anyone born on American soil is

How Do World Cup National Team Players Qualify for Visas to Attend Games in the United States?

June 26, 2026

The whole world is watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This year the matches are being played in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. As the United States hosts many of the World Cup matches, many people wonder what type of visa allows players, coaches, and

Guide to the 2025 U.S. Immigrant Visa Interview

U.S. Immigrant Visa Interview – An Essential Guide to the 2026

June 20, 2026

Your U.S. Immigrant Visa Interview: What to Expect and How to Prepare The U.S. immigrant visa interview is the final and often most important step in the immigration process, whether you’re applying through a K-1 fiancé visa, CR-1 spousal visa, or any other family-based or employment-based category. After receiving petition

K-1 Fiancé(e)’ Visa vs. CR-1 Spousal Visa: Which is the Right Path For Your Vietnamese Fiance(é) Or Spouse?

June 19, 2026

For many American and Vietnamese couples looking to immigrate to the United States, a major question is whether they should apply for a K-1 fiancé(é) visa or a CR-1 spousal visa. While both lead to lawful permanent residence status (“Green Card”), they work very differently. A K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows

News & Resources

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