News & Resources

USCIS Scheduled to Increase Family-Based Immigrant and Naturalization Application Filing Fees

January 16, 2020

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has proposed to increase its filing fees for family-based immigrant visas and naturalization applications in 2020. Below are examples of the proposed fee increases. Spouse and Family-Based Immigrant Visas: Filing fees are scheduled to increase a nominal 3.74 percent from US$535 to US$550.

CBP Pilot Program to Assess DNA Collection Samples

January 15, 2020

United States Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) has commenced a 90-day small scale pilot program aimed at collecting DNA samples from certain individuals who are currently in federal custody within the Detroit Sector and the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in Southwestern Texas. The purpose of the pilot program according

How Long Do I Have to Wait for My EB-5 Petition to Be Approved?

January 6, 2020

Most of my clients ask me this question and there is a lot of confusion about the processing times visa waiting times. As a refresher, there is a 3-step process to obtaining lawful permanent residence in the U.S. via the EB-5 immigrant investor visa category. First, an investor files a

Immigrate to the United States if You Have Exceptional Ability in Science, Art or Business – The EB-2 visa

December 27, 2019

Are you a person with exceptional ability in science, art or business? Then you may qualify to immigrate to the United States and pursue a career in your area of expertise via the Employment Based Second Preference visa category, or EB-2 visa. To qualify as a person of exceptional ability

David Enterline Speaks at E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Seminar in Bien Hoa

December 24, 2019

David Enterline of Enterline and Partners Consulting spoke at an E-2 Treaty Investor seminar at the Mira Central Park Hotel in Bien Hoa on December 14, 2019. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa provides nonimmigrant visa status for a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty

Announcement: Participants of Large Scale U.S. Marriage Fraud Scheme Indicted

May 15, 2019

A U.S. federal grand jury in Houston, Texas issued a 206 count indictment involving a massive marriage fraud scheme on April 30, 2019. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a total of 96 individuals were involved in a suspected criminal enterprise designed to create sham marriages between individuals

Announcement: U.S. State Department Enacts New Rules on Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Requests

May 10, 2019

As of May 6, 2019, the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) new rules went into effect concerning consular officers recommending a waiver if a nonimmigrant visa applicant is ineligible under Section 212(d)(3)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Under the new rule, consular officers will be required to refer

Extending Your American Visa. Is it Possible?

May 8, 2019

American visa validity depends on a person’s nationality. For example, Vietnamese citizens are given a maximum of a one-year multiple-entry visa. Other neighboring countries such as the Philippines and Thailand are eligible for a maximum of 10 years multiple-entry visas while Cambodian citizens receive up to three-months double entry validity.

EB-5 Modernization Regulation Pending Review At The Office Of Management And Budget

May 6, 2019

On April 8, 2019, USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna sent a letter to Senator Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Leahy (D-VT) regarding the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Rule (RIN 1615-AC07). Among other things, Director Cissna indicated in the letter that “DHS is dedicated to ensuring expeditious implementation of the rule,

What medical conditions would cause you to be denied an immigrant visa?

May 3, 2019

Part 1 – a communicable disease of public health significance This is a common question we are asked. This Part 1 of a series discusses what medical conditions might cause a person to be denied an immigrant visa. The United States Immigration and Naturalization Act (the “Act”), Section 212(a)(1) prescribes

What are some of the questions that the consular officer might ask during a tourist visa interview?

May 2, 2019

While the consular officer has the authority to ask a very broad range of questions, here is a list of 20 possible questions that may come up. Why are you traveling to the U.S.? Do you have any relatives in the U.S.? Have you ever applied for a U.S. visa

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