EB-5 Regulations Set to Move Forward

Washington, D.C. – July 2, 2019 – On June 27, 2019, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completed its review of USCIS’ proposed EB-5 Modernization Regulations, the last step in the rulemaking process before the new regulations are published and implemented. The new EB-5 regulations could increase the EB-5 minimum investment threshold and give […]

E-1 and E-2 Now Available for New Zealand

Washington, D.C. – June 15, 2019: New Zealand citizens can now obtain E-1 and E-2 treaty trader and investor visas to work in the U.S. These categories, which allow up to 2 years’ renewable stay, are determined by trade treaties secured between the U.S. and the foreign country or by Congressional legislation. Citizens of New […]

Waiting List Announced for Indian EB-5 Starting in July

Washington, D.C. – June 14, 2019: The latest Visa Bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) earlier this month, confirms industry predictions of a waiting list for Indian-born EB-5 investors. Starting in July 2019, EB-5 visas will be available only to those Indian-born investors who filed their petitions before 05/01/2017. This cut-off date […]

Premium Processing Returns to H-1B

Starting June 10, 2019, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume Premium Processing for all remaining H-1B petitions. This completes a trial arrangement whereby USCIS allowed limited Premium Processing starting May 20 for H-1B petitions with a Change of Status. The approach was introduced after recent years eliminated Premium Processing altogether, resulting in […]

USCIS Tightens Forms Criteria for H-1B Filings

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a caution on June 4, 2019, stating that H-1B petitions will be rejected if they fail to include names and addresses on Part 1 of Form I-129. Specifically, applicants are cautioned not to list outside counsel, clients, or other third parties, in such fields requesting the names […]

U.S. Department of State Update – Visa Retrogression and Future Wait Lists

Washington DC, June 2, 2019 – The American Immigration Lawyers Association recently spoke to Charlie Oppenheim, the Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to obtain his analysis of current trends and future projections, beyond the basic visa availability updates provided in the monthly Visa Bulletin. Mr. […]

US Government Requires Visa Applicants to Provide Access to Social Media

Washington DC, June 2, 2019 – The US Department of State recently announced that it will be explicitly requiring visa applicants who seek new visas or who are renewing existing visas to provide access to their personal social media accounts as part of the application process. The changes are being implemented by new questions found […]

Community Seminar on June 5: Latest Employment and Family Immigration News

Washington, D.C. – May 30, 2019: Benjamin Hu, a Partner Attorney at I. A. Donoso & Associates, will host a seminar at the Chinese Culture and Community Center (CCACC) on June 5. Topics will include employment-based and family-based petition outlook for 2019, Visa Waiting List predictions for employment-based categories for Mainland Chinese candidates, and new […]

USCIS Director Francis CIssna Resigns

Washington D.C., May 28, 2019: The Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) resigned from his post Friday at President Donald Trump’s request, according to his resignation letter. Francis Cissna is expected to be replaced by former Virginia Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli. I.A. Donoso & Associates, LLC, is a law firm based in Washington, […]

Industry Letter Proposes to Raise Minimum EB-5 Amount, Cut Visa Waiting Lists

In a letter dated May 17, 2019, EB-5 industry leaders called upon U.S. Senate and House leaders from both parties to enact EB-5 reform. The main proposals included an increase in the minimum investment amount to US$800,000, additional set-asides for certain target investment communities, and the designation of one EB-5 visa per investor, rather than […]