Headlines:

1. USCIS Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Change Certain Employment-Based Visa Programs -USCIS seeks public comments on a proposed rule published on December 31, 2015, “Retention of EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers,” that would change certain aspects of employment-based visa programs.

2. Omnibus Bill Includes Hefty Fee Increases for L-1 and H-1B Visas, EB-5 Regional Center Extension, Other Immigration-Related Provisions -The combined omnibus bill that Congress passed on December 18, 2015, includes several immigration measures.

3. Labor Dept. Issues Emergency Guidance on H-2B Changes -The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has provided emergency guidance to employers seeking to employ nonimmigrant workers in H-2B temporary or seasonal nonagricultural employment. The guidance is for employers seeking to obtain prevailing wage determinations and temporary labor certifications.

4. Secretary of State Kerry Sends Letter to Iranian Foreign Minister re Visa Waiver Issues -Kerry said, among other things, that the United States remained committed to lifting visa sanctions as provided under a recent nuclear deal with Iran.

5. DHS Considers Removing Hundreds of Newly Arrived Undocumented Families; Candidates React -According to reports, the Obama administration is considering removing hundreds of families who came to the United States without authorization and have been ordered to leave by an immigration judge. The vast majority are said to have fled violence in Central America.

6. OSC Opines on Terminating U.S. Workers and Hiring Contract Workers -An individual recently received a response to a question about whether an employer may terminate U.S. workers and rely instead on contract workers with temporary work visas.

7. OSC, ICE Issue Joint Guidance for Employers Conducting I-9 Audits -The guidance notes that although not required by law, an employer may conduct an internal audit of I-9 forms to ensure ongoing compliance with the employer sanctions provision of the INA. An employer may choose to review all or a sample of I-9 forms selected based on neutral and nondiscriminatory criteria.

8. USCIS Transfers Some Cases From Vermont Service Center -USCIS will notify those whose cases are transferred. The original receipt number will not change, and processing of the case will not be delayed “except for the additional time needed to transfer the file.” The filing location and instructions for these forms will not change.

9. USCIS Updates Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence for Marriage-Based Green Cards -The new edition is dated 11/23/15.

10. USCIS Changes Filing Location for Notices of Motion or Appeal Related to Citizenship Applications -Starting on January 1, 2016, those filing a Notice of Motion or Appeal in response to a decision on citizenship application must mail the I-290B to the Chicago Lockbox. USCIS will no longer accept these forms at local field offices.

11. New Publications and Items of Interest -New Publications and Items of Interest

12. ABIL Member/Firm News -ABIL Member/Firm News

13. Government Agency Links -Government Agency Links

Details:

1. USCIS Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Change Certain Employment-Based Visa Programs

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) seeks public comments on a proposed rule published on December 31, 2015, “Retention of EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers,” that would change certain aspects of employment-based visa programs. USCIS is also proposing regulatory amendments “to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs).”

Comments are due by February 29, 2016. To submit comments, follow the instructions in the notice.

Among other things, USCIS said it proposes to amend its regulations to:

• Clarify and improve longstanding agency policies and procedures implementing sections of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21) and the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) related to certain foreign workers, which will enhance USCIS’s consistency in adjudication.
• Better enable U.S. employers to employ and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions (I-140 petitions) while also providing stability and job flexibility to these workers. USCIS said the proposed rule will increase the ability of such workers to further their careers by accepting promotions, making position changes with current employers, changing employers, and pursuing other employment opportunities.
• Improve job portability for certain beneficiaries of approved I-140 petitions by limiting the grounds for automatic revocation of petition approval.
• Clarify when individuals may keep their priority date to use when applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence, including when USCIS has revoked the approval of their approved I-140 petitions because the employer withdrew the petition or because the employer’s business shut down.
• Allow certain high-skilled individuals in the United States in E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, or O-1 nonimmigrant status to apply for one year of unrestricted employment authorization if they:

1. Are the beneficiaries of an approved I-140 petition;
2. Remain unable to adjust status due to visa unavailability; and
3. Can demonstrate that compelling circumstances exist that justify issuing an employment authorization document.

Such employment authorization may only be renewed in limited circumstances.

• Clarify various policies and procedures related to the adjudication of H-1B petitions, including, among other things, extensions of status, determining cap exemptions and counting workers under the H-1B visa cap, H-1B portability, licensure requirements, and protections for whistleblowers.
• Establish a one-time grace period during an authorized validity period of up to 60 days for certain high-skilled nonimmigrant workers whenever their employment ends so that they may more readily pursue new employment and an extension of their nonimmigrant status.

These proposed changes do not take effect now. Instead, they would take effect on the date indicated in the final rule when the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

DETAILED SUMMARY OF PROPOSED RULE

PROPOSED RULE

Back to Top

2. Omnibus Bill Includes Hefty Fee Increases for L-1 and H-1B Visas, EB-5 Regional Center Extension, Other Immigration-Related Provisions

The combined omnibus spending bill that Congress passed on December 18, 2015, includes several immigration measures. Among other things, the supplemental fees for L-1 and H-1B petitions are increasing for companies that employ 50 or more employees in the United States and have more than 50 percent of their U.S. workforce in H-1B, L-1A, or L-1B nonimmigrant status. Specifically, the previously expired fees for L-1 petitions will increase from $2,250 to $4,500, and the fees for H-1B petitions will increase from $2,000 to $4,000. These supplemental fees must be paid on initial and extension petitions.

The bill also extends without substantive changes through September 30, 2016, four immigration programs: the EB-5 regional center program, the E-Verify program, the religious worker visa program, and the Conrad State 30 waiver program for certain foreign doctors on J-1 visas.

Also passed was a prohibition against foreign nationals in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they have visited Syria or Iraq at any time on or after March 1, 2011. The new law also excludes from the VWP individuals who are nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran, or Sudan. The omnibus spending law exempts those performing military service in the armed forces of a VWP country or those carrying out official duties in a full-time capacity in the employment of a VWP country government. In addition, the U.S. government may waive exclusion from the VWP program if it would be in the law enforcement or national security interests of the United States.

The new law also allows certain workers previously counted against the H-2B cap to return to the United States without being counted against the cap a second time.

TEXT OF THE NEW LAW

SUMMARIES (Democrats)

SUMMARIES (Republicans)

Back to Top

3. Labor Dept. Issues Emergency Guidance on H-2B Changes

Responding to new requirements contained in the 2016 Department of Labor Appropriations Act, which was signed into law on December 18, 2015, as part of the omnibus spending bill mentioned in the prior article, the Labor Department’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has provided emergency guidance to employers seeking to employ nonimmigrant workers in H-2B temporary or seasonal nonagricultural employment. The operational guidance is for employers seeking to obtain prevailing wage determinations and temporary labor certifications under the H-2B nonimmigrant visa classification.

Among other things, the guidance notes that certain provisions in the Appropriations Act require non-substantive modifications to ETA Form 9165. To comply with the law, OFLC has requested emergency approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on non-substantive changes to the form. The guidance states that until a notice of action is issued by the OMB, the Certifying Officer (CO) cannot issue a prevailing wage determination where use of a private survey has been requested.

The new provisions also require non-substantive modifications to Appendix B of the Form ETA-9142B. Specifically, the current Appendix B contains references to an employer’s compliance with the wage offer guarantee, corresponding employment, three-fourths guarantee, and the definition of temporary need under 20 CFR § 655.6. To comply with the new law, OFLC has requested emergency approval from OMB on non-substantive changes to the Appendix B. Until a notice of action is issued by OMB, the CO cannot issue any certification determinations on H-2B applications for temporary labor certification.

When a certification decision is issued, the CO will provide the employer with a copy of the revised Appendix B approved by OMB as well as a Final Determination Letter containing instructions for submitting all appropriate documentation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Until OMB approves a revised Appendix B, employers may continue to file H-2B applications with the prior version of Appendix B. After receipt of the notice of action from the OMB, the OFLC will provide a revised Appendix B to the employer with a certification decision.

The OFLC said it will issue a further announcement as soon as the agency has received the notices from the OMB.

GUIDANCE

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON PREVAILING WAGE DETERMINATIONS, issued December 29, 2015

Back to Top

4. Secretary of State Kerry Sends Letter to Iranian Foreign Minister re Visa Waiver Issues

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sent a letter on December 19, 2015, to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif assuring him that the United States remains committed to lifting visa sanctions as provided for under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The JCPOA is a diplomatic agreement intended to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful. Among other things the JCPOA will eventually lift certain economic and visa sanctions on Iran.

Secretary of State Kerry noted that the Obama administration has the authority to waive recent changes in visa requirements passed in Congress as part of the omnibus spending bill. See the omnibus article in this issue, above. Secretary Kerry expressed confidence that the visa provisions in the omnibus spending bill “will not in any way prevent us from meeting our JCPOA commitments, and that we will implement them so as not to interfere with legitimate business interests of Iran.” To this end, he noted that the United States has “a number of potential tools available to us, including multiple entry ten-year business visas, programs for expediting business visas, and the waiver authority provided under the new legislation.” He said he would be “happy to discuss this further and provide any additional clarification.”

TEXT OF THE LETTER

MORE ON JCPOA. The visa provisions are set forth in JCPOA Annex 2.

Back to Top

5. DHS Considers Removing Hundreds of Newly Arrived Undocumented Families; Candidates React

According to news reports, the Obama administration is considering removing hundreds of families who came to the United States without authorization since early 2015 and have been ordered to leave by an immigration judge. The vast majority are said to have fled violence in Central America.

The reports of possible removals, or “raids,” are providing fodder for controversy among the candidates for President. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump took credit for the possible deportations: “Wow, because of the pressure put on by me, ICE TO LAUNCH LARGE SCALE DEPORTATION RAIDS. It’s about time!” Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s campaign spokesperson said, “Hillary Clinton has real concerns about these reports, especially as families are coming together during this holiday season. She believes it is critical that everyone has a full and fair hearing, and that our country provides refuge to those that need it. And we should be guided by a spirit of humanity and generosity as we approach these issues.” Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders said, “I am very disturbed by reports that the government may commence raids to deport families who have fled here to escape violence in Central America. We need to take steps to protect children and families seeking refuge here, not cast them out.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently released statistics showing a steep drop in removals in fiscal year (FY) 2015. In FY 2012, there were 409,849 removals; by FY 2015, the number had dropped to 235,413.

DETAILED STATISTICS

Back to Top

6. OSC Opines on Terminating U.S. Workers and Hiring Contract Workers

An individual recently received a response to a question about whether an employer may terminate U.S. workers and rely instead on contract workers with temporary work visas. Bruce A. Morrison, chairman of the Bethesda, Maryland-based Morrison Public Affairs Group, also asked whether a violation can be established where an employer replaces a protected employee with a nonprotected employee provided by a third-party company rather than by directly hiring a replacement from outside of the protected class. The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC), Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, responded on December 22, 2015.

Among other things, OSC noted that citizenship status discrimination occurs when protected individuals are denied or deprived of employment because of their real or perceived immigration or citizenship status. U.S. citizens and nationals, refugees, asylees, and recent lawful permanent residents are protected from citizenship status discrimination under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the OSC noted, adding that the INA grants OSC jurisdiction over citizenship status discrimination claims involving employers with four or more employees.

OSC explained that except in very narrow circumstances, an employer violates the antidiscrimination provision if it terminates workers or hires their replacements because of citizenship or immigration status. This is true, OSC said, regardless of whether the employer takes the discriminatory employment actions itself through direct hiring or contracts as a joint employer with an outside agency to implement its discriminatory staffing plan. Whether an employer has violated the antidiscrimination provision through its use of contract workers will depend upon the facts of each case, OSC noted, including: (1) whether there is evidence of intentional discrimination in the selection of employees for discharge or rehire; (2) the circumstances surrounding the selection of the third-party staffing contractor; and (3) the extent to which the original employer could be considered a joint employer of the contract workers. In addition, OSC pointed out that nothing prevents the filing of a charge against the contractor for potential citizenship status discrimination, or prevents OSC from independently investigating the contractor for potential discrimination if OSC receives information indicating a possible violation.

OSC’s RESPONSE

Back to Top

7. OSC, ICE Issue Joint Guidance for Employers Conducting I-9 Audits

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) jointly issued new “Guidance for Employers Conducting Internal Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 Audits” on December 17, 2015. The guidance notes that although not required by law, an employer may conduct an internal audit of I-9 forms to ensure ongoing compliance with the employer sanctions provision of the INA. An employer may choose to review all or a sample of I-9 forms selected based on neutral and nondiscriminatory criteria. If a subset of I-9 forms is audited, “the employer should consider carefully how it chooses Forms I-9 to be audited to avoid discriminatory or retaliatory audits, or the perception of discriminatory or retaliatory audits,” the guidance notes. Penalties for violations “may be imposed even if an internal audit has been performed.” The guidance states that internal audits should not be conducted on the basis of an employee’s citizenship status or national origin, or in retaliation against any employee for any reason. An employer “should also consider whether the audit is or could be perceived to be discriminatory or retaliatory based on its timing, scope or selective nature.”

The guidance recommends a “transparent process” for interacting with employees during any internal audit. This includes informing employees in writing that the employer will conduct an internal audit of I-9 forms, explaining the scope and reason for the internal audit, and stating whether the internal audit is independent of or in response to a government directive. The guidance states that when a deficiency is discovered in an employee’s Form I-9, the employer should notify the affected employee, in private, of the specific deficiency. The employer should provide the employee with copies of his or her Form I-9, any accompanying documents, and any other documentation showing the alleged deficiency. If the employee is not proficient in English, the employer should communicate in the appropriate language where possible. The employer should also provide clear instructions to employees with questions or concerns related to the internal audit on how to seek additional information from the employer to resolve those questions or concerns.

An employer cannot correct errors or omissions in Section 1 of the I-9 form, only in Sections 2 or 3, the guidance notes. The employer should ask the employee to correct any errors in Section 1. The guidance states that the best way to correct such an error is to have the employee draw a line through the incorrect information, enter the correct or omitted information, and initial and date the corrected or omitted information. A preparer or translator can help by making the correction or helping the employee to make the correction.

The guidance recommends that before conducting an audit, an employer should consider the purpose and scope of the audit and how it will communicate information to employees, such as the reasons for the internal audit and what employees can expect from the process. An employer should consider the process it will have for fielding questions or concerns about the audit, how it will inform the employees of that process, how it will document its communications with employees, and how it will ensure consistent standards when addressing any I-9 deficiencies revealed by the audit, the guidance notes.

Among other things, the guidance also notes that an employer is not required to terminate employees who, as a result of the employer’s internal I-9 audit, disclose that they were previously not work-authorized, even though they are currently work-authorized. An employer may continue to employ the employee upon completion of a new I-9 noting the authorizing document(s), and should attach the new I-9 to the previously completed I-9 together with a signed and dated explanation, the guidance states.

The guidance also notes that an employer should not use the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) during an internal I-9 audit. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will verify Social Security numbers and names solely to ensure that the records of current or former employees are correct for the purpose of completing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement). Additionally, any notification about a mismatch makes no statement about an employee’s immigration status. Rather, it simply indicates an error in either the employer’s records or SSA’s records “and should not be used as a basis to take adverse action against an employee. In other words, SSNVS is not intended to be used to verify employment authorization in connection with the Form I-9 process,” the guidance notes.

GUIDANCE, including additional information, such as how to correct other types of errors and determining whether documentation is acceptable

For further information about the proper use of SSNVS, see the SSNVS HANDBOOK

Back to Top

8. USCIS Transfers Some Cases From Vermont Service Center

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently began transferring some casework from the Vermont Service Center (VSC) to the California Service Center (CSC) and the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) “to balance workloads.”

The CSC will now process Forms I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. The NSC will process Forms I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, filed by asylum applicants with pending asylum applications filed on or after January 4, 1995. The eligibility category for the application is (c)(8).

USCIS will notify those whose cases are transferred. The original receipt number will not change, and processing of the case will not be delayed “except for the additional time needed to transfer the file.” The filing location and instructions for these forms will not change.

USCIS noted that an individual’s case status can be checked at Case Status Online by entering the receipt number. Applicants can also sign up to receive automatic case status updates by email, and can submit an inquiry if they do not receive a decision within the published processing time. Inquiries may be made at 800-375-5283 (TDD 800-767-1833), or ONLINE.

NOTICE

Back to Top

9. USCIS Updates Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence for Marriage-Based Green Cards

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published an update to Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The new edition is dated 11/23/15.

Beginning on February 29, 2016, USCIS will accept only the 11/23/15 edition. The edition date is at the bottom of every page of the form and instructions. The expiration date at the top says 11/30/2017.

LATEST FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS

Back to Top

10. USCIS Changes Filing Location for Notices of Motion or Appeal Related to Citizenship Applications

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that starting on January 1, 2016, those filing a Form I-290B, Notice of Motion or Appeal, in response to a decision on a Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) or N-600K (Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322) must mail the I-290B to the Chicago Lockbox. USCIS will no longer accept these forms at local field offices.

USCIS will provide a 30-day grace period from January 1-30, 2016, for those who file an I-290B with the local office. Local field offices that receive a Form I-290B during this time will forward it to the Chicago Lockbox. After January 30, 2016, local field offices will return all I-290Bs for Forms N-600 or N-600K they receive and advise applicants to file instead at the Chicago Lockbox.

For those filing via the U.S. Postal Service, the address is:

USCIS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

For those filing via USPS express mail/courier, the address is:

USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 S. Dearborn, 3^rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

USCIS ANNOUNCEMENT

Back to Top

11. New Publications and Items of Interest

The January E-Verify webinar schedule from USCIS is now available HERE.

The 2015 edition of the Global Business Immigration Practice Guide has been released by LexisNexis. Dozens of members of the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL) co-authored and edited the guide, which is a one-stop resource for dealing with questions related to business immigration issues in immigration hotspots around the world.

The latest edition adds chapters on Ghana and Peru. Other chapters cover Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, the European Union, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Latchi Delchev, a global mobility and immigration specialist for Boeing, called the guide “first-rate” and said the key strong point of the book is its “outstanding usability.” She said she highly recommends the book and notes that it “is helpful even to seasoned professionals, as it provides a level of detail which is not easily gained from daily case management.”

Mireya Serra-Janer, head of European immigration for a multinational IT company, says she particularly likes “the fact that the [guide] focuses not just on each country’s immigration law itself but also addresses related matters such as tax and social security issues.” She noted that the India chapter “is particularly good. The immigration regulations in India have always been hard to understand. Having a clear explanation of the rules there helps us sort out many mobility challenges.”

Charles Gould, Director-General of the International Co-operative Alliance, said the guide is “an invaluable resource for both legal practitioners and business professionals. The country-specific chapters are comprehensive and answer the vast majority of questions that arise in immigration practice. Its clear and easy-to-follow structure and format make it the one volume to keep close at hand.”

This comprehensive guide is designed to be used by:

• Human resources professionals and in-house attorneys who need to instruct, understand, and liaise with immigration lawyers licensed in other countries;
• Business immigration attorneys who regularly work with multinational corporations and their employees and HR professionals; and
• Attorneys interested in expanding their practice to include global business immigration services.

This publication provides:

• An overview of the immigration law requirements and procedures for over 20 countries;
• Practical information and tips for obtaining visas, work permits, resident status, naturalization, and other nonimmigrant and immigrant pathways to conducting business, investing, and working in those countries;
• A general overview of the appropriate options for a particular employee; and
• Information on how an employee can obtain and maintain authorization to work in a target country.

Each chapter follows a similar format, making it easy to compare practices and procedures from country to country. Useful links to additional resources and forms are included. Collected in this Practice Guide, the expertise of ABIL’s attorney members across the globe will serve as an ideal starting point in your research into global business immigration issues.

The list price is $359, but a 15% discount is available by visiting LexisNexis and entering discount code “ABIL15”. Contact your Lexis/Nexis sales representative; call 1-800-833-9844 (United States), 1-518-487-3385 (international); fax 1-518-487-3584

ABIL on Twitter. The Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers is available on Twitter: @ABILImmigration. RECENT ABIL BLOGS

Back to Top

12. ABIL Member/Firm News

David Isaacson, of Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates, PLLC, has authored a new blog entry. “How Recent Changes To The Visa Waiver Program Have Gone Too Far”

Cora-Ann V. Pestaina, of Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates, PLLC, has authored a new blog entry. “How One Employee’s Complaint Can Lead To A Full Blown Investigation Of An H-1B Employer’s LCA Records”

Angelo Paparelli was quoted by the Wall Street Journal on planned raids of families for removal from the United States. In “U.S. Plan To Deport Central American Families Is Widely Criticized,” published on December 25, 2015, Mr. Paparelli said the effort “seems like an about-face from the president’s actions in prioritizing the enforcement of immigration laws. I worry that a terrorist incident might occur because the eyes of DHS are distracted.”

Bernard Wolfsdorf and Avi Friedman of Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP will speak at the 2016 AILA Midwinter Conference on January 22, 2016, at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. They will speak about advanced issues in consular processing, nonimmigrant waivers, and humanitarian parole.

Mr. Wolfsdorf discussed the impact of recent terrorist attacks on immigration in an ABC News article, “San Bernardino Attack: Visas, Wives and Terror.” Mr. Wolfsdorf commented that “the unusual circumstances surrounding Chernykh’s marriage to Marquez would likely attract the interest of immigration authorities.”

Mr. Wolfsdorf was interviewed in “The Wealthy Migrant,” published in The Economist. In the report, Mr. Wolfsdorf discussed the motivations propelling high-net-worth individuals to relocate and seek citizenship abroad. THE FULL REPORT

Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP was honored as the “2015 EB-5 Immigration Law Firm of the Year” by EB5NewsBlog.org. EB5NewsBlog.org is sponsored by the investment consulting firm, Artisan Business Group, Inc., that reports on EB-5 practice.

Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP announced the addition of three new partners. Avi Friedman and Richard Yemm are in the Los Angeles office, and Naveen Bhora is in the New York office.

Stephen Yale-Loehr and H. Ronald Klasko will lead an “EB-5 Due Diligence Workshop” on January 15, 2016, at EB-5 Investors.com’s 2016 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference. Designed for migration agents, the workshop will cover due diligence matters and conclude with legislative analysis. Attendance is limited. For more information or to register.

Mr. Yale-Loehr recently wrote a blog recapping the EB-5 legislative battle. “Congress Extends EB-5 Program for One Year Without Changes”

Mr. Yale-Loehr was quoted in Law360 on December 24, 2015, in “Immigration Regulation and Legislation To Watch in 2016.” He noted that topics that may come up include whether changes to the EB-5 program will apply retroactively, as well as issues related to target employment areas. “I think there is going to be another summer of intense negotiations to try to come with a compromise on EB-5,” he said.

Mr. Yale-Loehr was quoted in the McClatchy newspapers about the fiancée visa application for Tashfeen Malik, the wife involved in the San Bernardino, California, terrorist attack. The article was published by the Sacramento Bee and the Miami Herald

Mr. Yale-Loehr was quoted in China Daily USA in “Congress To Extend EB-5 Program,” published on December 17, 2015. He noted that “Congress was on the verge of enacting major changes to the EB-5 program, but deleted the EB-5 reform package from the omnibus spending bill at the last minute.”

Back to Top

13. Government Agency Links

Follow these links to access current processing times of the USCIS Service Centers and the Department of Labor, or the Department of State’s latest Visa Bulletin with the most recent cut-off dates for visa numbers:

USCIS Service Center processing times online

Department of Labor processing times and information on backlogs

Department of State Visa Bulletin

Visa application wait times for any post

Back to Top