Blogs

Employment Authorization Extension for Syrian Citizens with a F-1 Nonimmigrant Student Status

F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011, have been granted temporary relief by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  As of January 5, 2015 through September 30, 2016, an extension of an earlier suspension of the applicability of certain requirements governing on-campus and off-campus employment for F-1 nonimmigrant students has been granted.

TPS Extension and Redesignation of the Syrian Arab Republic

A recent notice by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of the Syrian Arab Republic for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.  The extension allows currently eligible beneficiaries to retain TPS from April 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.  Additionally, Syria has received a redesignation TPS for 18 months, effective April 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. 

5 New Countries Designated to have Eligible Nationals Participate in the H-2A and H-2B Nonimmigrant Worker programs

Five new countries are eligible to participate in the H–2A and H–2B Nonimmigrant Worker programs for the first time.  The newly designated countries include the Czech Republic, Denmark, Madagascar, Portugal, and Sweden.   This determination is effective January 18, 2015.  Additionally, 63 countries previously designated in the January 17, 2014 notice continue to be eligible.

2014年12月移民局公布的EB-5项目数据

- 在2014财政年度,EB-5项目为美国本土经济带来了约55亿美金。

- 全美目前有600个获批的区域中心,在2013-2014财政年度,移民局终止了7个因未递交I-924A年度报告的区域中心,并对28个因“不再促进经济增长”的区域中心发出了“意图终止”的通知。

- 移民局目前收到有270份I-924区域中心申请,11万份I-526移民申请,以及2500份I-829临时绿卡条件移除申请。

- 目前移民局对I-924申请的处理时间为8.5个月,I-526申请的处理时间为14.3个月,I-829申请的处理时间为6.9个月。

- 移民局已开始对I-924区域中心申请进行面试及实地考察。

EB-5 Program Updates from December 2014 USCIS EB-5 Stakeholder's Meeting

- In Fiscal Year 2014, the EB-5 Program has brought approximately $5.5 billion to the US economy.

- There are 600 approved regional centers in the US. USCIS approved 230 from Fiscal Year 2013 to 2014, terminated 7 for failing to comply with the I-924A annual filing requirement, and issued Notice of Intent of Deny to 28 regional centers as "they are no longer promoting economic growth."

- 270 I-924 regional center petitions were filed, approximately 11,000 I-526 petitions are pending with USCIS, and 2,500 I-829 petition were filed.

EB-5 Q&A: Which banks have flexible early release terms when the offering contains non-escrow investor protections for possible I-526 denial?

Question Detail: Our project involves a two-stage, well-defined early release from escrow, with all early released funds guaranteed by a highly credit-worthy affiliate of the project. We have been told that some EB-5 escrow agents/service providers may be unwilling to waive their underwriting criteria around early release, even if we satisfy the underlying risk through the guarantee. What escrow companies or banks do you have experience with that are flexible with early release when the offering contains non-escrow investor protections for the possibility of I-526 denial?

EB-5 Q&A 移民问答帖:在未提供托管账户保护且I-526可能被拒的情况下, 哪些银行对提前释放资金有更灵活的操作

某些EB-5资金托管方不愿意提前释放资金,即使在EB-5项目方提供了充分的还款担保。因此,我想知道哪些银行或金融机构对于提前释放资金有比较灵活的操作?

EB-5 Q&A: How can I ensure that the business I invest in will securely handle my EB-5 investment?

Question Detail: I am interested in participating in the EB-5 program, and I understand that my investment needs to be “at risk,” but I am concerned about the security of my investment. How can I ensure that the business in which I invest will securely and legally handle my EB-5 investment?

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