News & Resources

Announcement – Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Temporarily Extended to 24 Months

January 4, 2021

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has temporarily expanded the ability of DOS consular officers to waive in-person interview requirements for individuals applying for an expired nonimmigrant visa within the same category. Previously, in-person interview requirements were eligible for a waiver if the nonimmigrant visa applicant, such as a

What do I need to show to reenter the U.S. after being outside for a long time because of COVID-19?

December 23, 2020

We have covered several issues in our series on how to protect your lawful permanent resident status and green card if you have been outside the United States and have been unable to return because of COVID-19. COVID-19 Reference Guide If you are able to reenter within 1 year of

What is an I-131A visa and will it allow me to reenter the United States?

December 21, 2020

An I-131A visa is for lawful permanent residents (“LPR”) whose Form I-551 “green card” was lost, stolen or destroyed while traveling outside the United States, or whose green card has expired, and who have been outside the U.S. for less than one year. Such LPRs can apply at a U.S.

DOS Announces New Visa Bond Pilot Program for Certain B-1 B-2 Visa Applicants

December 15, 2020

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has announced the creation of a six-month pilot program under which certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants may be required to post a bond as a condition of visa issuance. The program, which was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 2020 will become

The November 2020 Visa Bulletin Priority Date shows slight movement forward for Vietnamese EB-5 immigrant investors

December 2, 2020

The “Final Action Date” priority date for Vietnamese EB-5 investors moved forward slightly in the Department of State November 2020 visa bulletin from August 15, 2017 to September 1, 2017. The priority date indicates that any investors who filed their I-526 Petitions on or before September 1, 2017 now have

U.S. Supreme Court Allows DACA to Stand

July 6, 2020

On June 18th, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it rescinded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) and ordered DACA to stand. The DACA program, an Obama administration policy which provides deferred action on removal proceedings and

Trump’s Amended Immigration Ban Exempts Children of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

June 29, 2020

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s June 22nd proclamation amending a previous Executive Order (“EO”) restricting immigration to certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, an exemption has been granted to children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The previous EO issued on April 22nd formally known as the “Proclamation Suspending Entry

Actions to Take When a Client’s I-526 Petition Enters Processing Limbo

June 24, 2020

EB-5 investors and projects continue to contend with lengthy delays in the processing of I-526 Petitions. Average processing times have steadily increased over the past few years, in stark contrast to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) new Investor Program Office (“IPO”) statements that it would reverse the trend

Trump Extends Immigration Ban to Certain Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants

June 23, 2020

Announcement: U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City Scheduled to Resume Limited Immigrant Visa Interviews on June 29

June 19, 2020

The U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City has announced that starting on June 29, limited immigrant visa interviews will resume following a three-month suspension as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant visa interviews will be restricted to applicants who were initially scheduled for an interview in March, April

The Writ of Mandamus for EB-5 Immigrant Investors

June 16, 2020

CATEGORY

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