Archive for July, 2013

F2A Spouses & Children of Permanent Residents Becomes Current

7/22/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

The August 2013 Visa Bulletin shows that family-based 2A category, spouses & children of permanent residents, has now become current. The Visa Bulletin reads that “F2A: This category has become “Current” for August, and is expected to remain so for the next several months. This action has been taken in an effort to generate an […]Read More >

USCIS ‘Conversation’ on Electronic Immigration System Unveils New Document Library

7/16/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

On May 23, 2013, USCIS held a “conversation” on USCIS ELIS (Electronic Immigration System) and the EB-5 program. USCIS noted that Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, will be the first of the EB-5 forms available for e-filing in ELIS. USCIS said that at a March 28 stakeholder teleconference, the agency heard concerns about […]Read More >

Supreme Court’s DOMA Ruling Opens Door to Immigration Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses

7/16/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

About 30,000 same-sex binational couples may now be eligible for immigration benefits, such as permanent residence based on marriage, thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision on June 26, 2013, in United States v. Windsor, which struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. That law had prohibited the federal government from recognizing […]Read More >

USCIS Holds EB-5 ‘Town Hall’ on Immigration and Entrepreneurship

7/15/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

On May 8, 2013, USCIS held a “town hall” meeting to discuss the issues at the nexus of immigration law, entrepreneurship, and innovation, including “policies and practices to make the U.S. a welcoming place for innovation-driven entrepreneurs.” The program featured a panel from the local entrepreneurial community and Q&A time. Panelists included:  Alejandro Mayorkas, director, […]Read More >

USCIS Holds EB-5 Stakeholder Engagement With SEC on Securities Law Compliance

7/15/2013 Written by SRW Lawyers

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services held an EB-5-related stakeholder engagement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 3, 2013, to discuss the EB-5 program. Subject matter experts discussed securities law compliance in the context of EB-5 regional centers and investments. During the call, the SEC provided an overview of registration requirements under federal […]Read More >