Sizing the reauthorization hurdle
I’ve been overwhelmed with everything that could be written, in this period of unparalleled transition, opportunity, and existential crisis for the EB-5 industry and investors. I’ll start by getting...
View ArticleUSCIS Policy Manual EB-5 Updates (regulations, reauthorization, indebtedness,...
The USCIS Policy Manual is a fluid online document that gets edited periodically, with and without notice, which is exciting and disconcerting. Being someone who likes to know the rules, I save copies...
View ArticleUpdates (reauthorization, regulations litigation, FY2021 Q3 processing data)
Reauthorization Update: On Wednesday 8/25 at 12PM EDT, the EB-5 investor organization AIIA will hold a webinar to update stakeholders on efforts for legislation to reauthorize the regional center...
View ArticleIn-process EB-5 applicants and legislative stakes
For whose sake should Congress act on EB-5 legislation? The discussion tends to focus on the future of the regional center program, and the question of potential and protections for future EB-5...
View ArticleThe fight for EB-5 legislation continues
What is the path, timeline, and content for regional center program reauthorization legislation? This urgent question should be directed toward advocacy groups and official advisors, not to a business...
View ArticleWe’re all in this together
This blog focuses on the technicalities of EB-5 for my small audience of industry insiders. Since I do not have a general audience, I do not think very much about messaging. But I realize that in...
View ArticleSeptember Updates (USCIS input, RFEs, legislation)
A few updates and resources. USCIS Feedback: This week was the deadline for response to the nice USCIS “EB-5 Question” feedback request. I sent comments, and assisted with the list of questions on...
View ArticleI-829 alert for investors from the ’90s
In another nice indication that the Investor Program Office is trying to get EB-5 processing back in order, it has updated the EB-5 page at USCIS.gov with a new “Alert” — this one targeted to people...
View ArticleUSCIS Website Alert 10/4 Update
The EB-5 page at USCIS.gov has updated its alert regarding policy for processing during the regional center program sunset. I’ve copied below a redline that compares the Alert published on October 4,...
View ArticleNo news yet on RC program authorization
We remain, so far as I can see, in the position described in my previous posts about reauthorization efforts. As previously discussed, we are waiting for a legislative vehicle to arrive, and for...
View ArticleUnderstanding the Audience: Senator Leahy
The FY2022 Appropriations Act is the nearest-term hope as a vehicle for regional center program authorization, and I hear that all sides are committed to grasping that opportunity. (The appropriations...
View ArticleCall for investor stories to support RC program authorization
I do not have definitive news about regional center program reauthorization, but will pass on action items suggested by EB-5 advocates. (Personally, I have decided to celebrate EB-5 legislation as a...
View ArticleHow and why RC program law affects RC petition processing
I observe confusion about how and why regional center program expiration affects various stages of the EB-5 process. What specifically is the “lapsed statutory authority” that USCIS cites as the reason...
View ArticleUSCIS website alert update: I-924A
Thank you to Carolyn Lee for noticing that the USCIS EB-5 page was quietly updated yesterday 12/20 to include this paragraph in the alert on regional center program expiration: We will still accept and...
View ArticleLooking to 2022
I will start 2022 by attempting a comment on where we are with regional center and direct EB-5, and what should be done Regional Center Situation Regional Center Legislation In 2021, Congressional...
View ArticleLooking to March 11, 2022 (legislation and litigation)
The drama of regional center program reauthorization is racing toward the zero hour of March 11, 2022: the date when the FY2022 omnibus appropriations bill is now finally, firmly likely to pass with or...
View ArticleEB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022
The EB-5 program faces a second life thanks to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, which passed the House on Wednesday and the Senate on Thursday night as part of the Consolidated Appropriations...
View ArticleText of EB-5 law enacted as of March 15, 2022
H.R.2471 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 was enacted on March 15, 2022, and contains the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 in Division BB (PDF page 1022 of the enrolled bill). This means...
View ArticleMay 2022 Visa Bulletin with Reserve Visas
The May 2022 Visa Bulletin is out, reflecting seismic changes for EB-5. For discussion, I recommend Joseph Barnett and Bernard Wolfsdorf’s article EB-5 Visa Availability for the May 2022 Visa Bulletin...
View Article4/19 USCIS Engagement!
Welcome to the first EB-5 stakeholder engagement since March 2020! (Only a listening session, but still a good sign!) I look forward to the updates with bated breath. From: U.S. Citizenship and...
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