USCIS Begins Processing Pending EB-5 Petitions
Washington, D.C., March 15, 2022: The federal government re-authorized the EB-5 Regional Center program on March 15, 2022. Donoso & Partners, a leading law firm with thousands of clients pursuing EB-5 immigration, is happy to report that we have started to receive USCIS notifications by email that USCIS is re-starting processing of pending EB-5 petitions […]
New Life for the EB-5 Regional Center Program
Washington, D.C., March 14, 2022: Following months of legislative deadlock, the U.S. Congress reauthorized the EB-5 Regional Center Program as part of the Omnibus spending bill passed on March 11, 2022. The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“Act”) extends EB-5 program for 5 years, through September 30, 2027, providing it with much-needed long-term […]
USCIS Seeks Faster Processing of I-765 Work Permits
Washington, D.C., March 8, 2022: In a recent announcement, USCIS notified the public that it was seeking faster adjudication of I-765 temporary work permit applications filed under I-485 Adjustment of Status. To improve efficiency and reduce Form I-765 processing times for Form I-485 applicants, USCIS may decouple Forms I-765 from Forms I-131 filed at the […]
Canada Plans to Offer Visas to Ukrainian Citizens
Toronto, March 3, 2022: Canada is introducing new immigration streams for Ukrainians who want to move to Canada permanently or temporarily. Ukrainians who wish to come to Canada on a temporary basis will be able to obtain a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. There will be no limit on the number of Ukrainians who wish […]
Secretary Mayorkas Designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. “Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “In these extraordinary times, we […]
USCIS Issues New Edition of I-829 Petition, Will Reject Prior Version After 4/7/22
Washinigton, D.C., February 16, 2022 USCIS issued a new edition of Form I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status dated December 8, 2021. Starting April 7, 2022, USCIS will only accept the new edition (12/8/21). Until then, petitioners can use the November 21, 2019, edition. A review of the new Form […]
New Admission Codes for E and L2 Spouses
Washington, D.C., February 10, 2022: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently issued new guidance for admission codes for spouses of E and L2 visa holders. The guidance is intended to formalize the new policy of allowing spouses of E and L visa holders to work incident to status. CBP will begin issuing I-94 admission […]
USCIS Updates Its Mission Statement
Washington, D.C., February 9, 2022: Today, USCIS issued an updated Mission Statement about its role in the U.S. immigration system. The statement continues to highlight the need to ensure the security of the United States to face “increased global threats and security challenges”. Nevertheless, the Mission Statement brought back language emphasizing the “inclusive character” of […]
重新启动 EB-5 的关键
2022年2月3日，美国华盛顿特区：EB-5区域中心项目在2021年6月30日暂停，原因是国会的部分议员在通过这项法案上不能达成一致。在该EB-5项目失效期间，美国移民 (USCIS)的立场是，对于基于 EB-5 区域中心项目正在审理中的I-526 申请和 I-485 调整身份申请，暂时搁置。 USCIS 表示将继续处理非区域中心的直投 EB-5 申请以及所有 I-829 申请。从 2021 年 12 月下旬开始的 USCIS 指南表明这些政策没有变化。事实上，Donoso & Partners 没有看到美国移民局的做法有任何变化，这表明法案政策发生了变化，以使得这些案件暂时搁置。 美国移民局、投资者和 EB-5 行业的期望是国会将很快批准立法以重新启动该项目。 问题在于，自 2021 年 7 月以来，国会几次反复。最初的预期是，国会将该计划的延期附加到 2021 年 9 月通过的硬性基础设施法案中。由于紧张的政治谈判，一致没有达成一致。类似的希望寄托在自 2021 年 9 月 30 日以来通过的持续性决议以及 2022 年 1 月在参议院的软性基础设施法案上。 从好的方面来说，这些努力表明立法者仍然愿意尝试重新启动该项目。不利的一面是，美国国会的现实是惯性规则比行动更频繁，任何涉及移民的立法对民选官员来说都是一个艰难的推进。 最新的持续性决议必须在 2022 年 2 月 18 日之前更新。观察家的期望是，该计划将通过在美国国会必须通过的综合支出法案中附加立法来重新启动，以保持美国联邦政府的运作。报告显示，民选官员在这方面正在取得进展，这给投资者和 EB-5 行业带来了希望。然而，关于更新该项目的立法是否会最终包含在新的综合支出法案中，却缺乏信息。此外，公共领域没有明确即将通过何种类型的立法。会是详细的 EB-5 […]
Omnibus Key to Re-Starting EB-5
Washington, D.C., February 3, 2022: The EB-5 Regional Center Program (the “Program”) lapsed on June 30, 2021 because elected members of congress could not agree on passing legislation to keep the Program running. During the lapse in the Program, USCIS has taken the position that it will “hold” pending I-526 petitions and I-485 applications for […]