30 Sep 2015

NewsFlash! Government Shutdown Averted, EB5 Extended Through Dec. 11

Congress approved a spending bill late this afternoon that will fund the federal government's operations through December 11, 2015. This serves to avoid a government shutdown, at least for the next two months.The bill passed today was also used to extend the regional center (RC)...

02 Sep 2015

USCIS Releases Draft Memo on EB5 Job Creation and Investment Requirements

On August 10, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a draft memorandum regarding certain legal requirements for the employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) immigrant investor category. The memo specifically addresses two key EB5 requirements: job creation and sustaining the EB5 investment over the two-year...

29 Jul 2015

CIS Ombudsman Releases 2015 Annual Report

Maria M. Odom, the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman), has submitted her office's 2015 Annual Report to Congress. This annual report includes lists of problems within the immigration system identified by the CIS Ombudsman's office, as well as recommended solutions. Background on the CIS Ombudsman The...

24 Jul 2015

White House Recommends Modernizing Immigration System

On July 15, 2015, the White House released a report outlining recommendations for changes to the U.S. immigration system, in order to "…bring the system into the 21st century." The report identifies avenues for making improvements to the immigration system and is titled, Modernizing and Streamlining...

19 Mar 2015

April 2015 Visa Bulletin – EB2 India Advances to Sep 2007

As announced last week on MurthyDotCom, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) visa bulletin for April 2015 is available. The employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for India and China continues to advance. As predicted, however, the news is far less encouraging for the employment-based, third preference (EB3)...

21 Nov 2014

President’s Executive Actions for U.S. Businesses and Highly Skilled Workers

President Barack Obama addressed the nation on November 20, 2014, in a televised speech to outline his proposed changes to immigration policies through executive action. These changes are part of a multi-pronged effort by the White House to make needed improvements by executive action to...