There are reported leadership changes at USCIS. According to reports, Joe Edlow, chief counsel of USCIS, has been appointed deputy director for policy, assuming responsibilities of Mark Koumans, deputy
Continue Reading Leadership Changes at USCIS
Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File H–1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens
On Jan. 9, 2020, USCIS posted a Notice in the Federal Register announcing the implementation of the H-1B registration process for H-1B cap-subject petitions. USCIS notes:
The initial H-1B petition
President Trump Signs Appropriation Packages Extending Vital Programs Like EB-5 and Preventing a Government Shutdown
On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed H.R. 1865, an eight-bill appropriations bill that extends the vital EB-5 program until Sept. 30, 2020, among other things. The president also signed
Continue Reading President Trump Signs Appropriation Packages Extending Vital Programs Like EB-5 and Preventing a Government Shutdown
Congress Releases 12-Bill Funding Package to Extend Vital Programs Such as EB-5 and to Prevent a Government Shutdown
On Dec. 16, Congressional leaders negotiated and debuted a $1.37 trillion spending package to fund the operational needs of the country and extend vital programs such as EB-5.
USCIS Announces More Fees and Fee Increases—UPDATE: Extension of Comment Period
As we previously reported here, USCIS published a notice of proposed rulemaking for an adjustment of fees to meet operational needs. Today, USCIS announced an extension of the comment
Continue Reading USCIS Announces More Fees and Fee Increases—UPDATE: Extension of Comment Period
EB-5 Final Rule Challenged in U.S. Federal District Court
On Nov. 26, 2019, a complaint for Injunctive Relief and a Temporary Restraining Order was filed by Florida EB-5 Investments, LLC against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) challenging a
Continue Reading EB-5 Final Rule Challenged in U.S. Federal District Court
OMB Releases Fall 2019 Unified Regulatory Agenda; DHS & USCIS Expect Active Rulemakings
Twice a year, the Office of Management and Budget, in concert with the General Services Administration and its own Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, publish the Unified Regulatory Agenda (Unified Agenda). The Unified Agenda is a transparency program that publishes federal agency rulemakings in process. It is not a process set in concrete but rather a snapshot in time to inform the public of rulemakings and regulations being developed by federal agencies.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) postings, released Nov. 21 for Fall 2019 are here. In addition to enabling the searching of regulations by agency and content, the agencies offer a regulatory “plan” which sets out regulatory principles. The DHS statement can be found here.
Continue Reading OMB Releases Fall 2019 Unified Regulatory Agenda; DHS & USCIS Expect Active Rulemakings
Washington EB-5 Update
As a reminder to our readers, the Obama-era EB-5 Regional Center regulations – see July post for details – go into effect Nov. 21, 2019. USCIS has published a webpage
Continue Reading Washington EB-5 Update
House Introduces Continuing Resolution Funding Government, Including Vital programs Such as EB-5
On Nov. 18, Congressional Appropriation leadership introduced a 26-page Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund government and extend vital programs such as EB-5 through Dec. 20, 2019. Leaders hope to use
Continue Reading House Introduces Continuing Resolution Funding Government, Including Vital programs Such as EB-5
USCIS Announces More Fees and Fee Increases
Nearly 96% of the USCIS budget derives from fees. In our coverage of Congress, appropriations, continuing resolutions, and government shutdowns, we are reminded that USCIS is a fee-driven agency, as
Continue Reading USCIS Announces More Fees and Fee Increases