Steffanie Lewis's blog

Unable to Depart US Due to Pandemic? Avoid Overstay!

Were you admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)? --->  There is no provision of law that would allow you to extend your stay. However, if you are unable to depart before their current period of admission expires due to exigent circumstances, there is an option to request relief in the form of a Satisfactory Departure request. Both U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have authority to handle these requests which grant an individual a period of 30 days in which to depart the U.S.

EB-5 Q&A: What qualifies as an EB-5 troubled business?

Question Detail: My retail business has experienced some loss, and I want to see if it qualifies as a troubled business under the EB-5 program. What does USCIS consider a troubled business for EB-5 investment purposes? What proof will I need to provide to show that it is troubled? If I currently have 8 employees, and get an EB-5 investor to invest, will they just have to preserve those jobs or create new ones?

TERMINATION OF SALVADORAN TPS

Dear Friends,

 Today, January 8, 2018, the Administration terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvadorans as of March 9, 2019.  If a current TPS holder whose card is expiring this year wants to renew authorization to work, he or she will be required to re-register and apply for employment authorization which will expire on March 9, 2019.  

SUPREME CT: Who is Upside Down??

"It’s as if . . . the President is setting the policy and the Congress is executing it. That’s just upside down." - Justice Anthony Kennedy (April 19, 2016 - Supreme Court Argument)

Respectfully, Justice Kennedy, nothing is upside down. The system is working, poorly perhaps, but as intended when one branch abdicates its responsibility to fix an unworkable situation. The government had to do something, the President has acted by necessity, the consequence of Congressional inaction. His limited efforts to stabilize our society should be allow to proceed.

EB-5 Q&A: What qualifies as an EB-5 troubled business?

Question Detail: My retail business has experienced some loss, and I want to see if it qualifies as a troubled business under the EB-5 program. What does USCIS consider a troubled business for EB-5 investment purposes? What proof will I need to provide to show that it is troubled? If I currently have 8 employees, and get an EB-5 investor to invest, will they just have to preserve those jobs or create new ones?
 

EB-5 Q&A: What criminal charges preclude immigration through EB-5?

Question Detail: I have a UK Caution on my criminal record. The Caution is for Common Assault and occurred in a domestic situation whilst defending myself. Would this Caution prevent my I-526 from being approved if I apply for EB-5? And will it be a problem later during consular processing? What criminal charges would bar someone from immigrating through EB-5?
 

EB-5 Q&A: When can relocated employees be counted towards the EB-5 requirement?

Question Detail: My friend is a U.S. citizen who owns a thriving business in Texas. He wants to expand the company to an office in Los Angeles. We are thinking this would be a good opportunity for me to invest and apply for EB-5 at the same time. Will a new location of an existing company be eligible for EB-5 investment? What if some of the employees relocate to Los Angeles? Can we count their new jobs towards my EB-5 job requirement?

EB-5 Q&A:How can I reapply for EB-5 if I already received permanent residency?

Question Detail: I have a permanent U.S. green card (earned from EB-5), but I have been living outside of the United States since December 2009. Am I still considered a U.S. permanent resident? If not, would I be eligible to immediately reapply for permanent residency through the EB-5 program? Would my previous EB-5 application disqualify me?

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