EB-5 Center

Practically speaking, this is how USCIS defines "rural".

The immigration regulations define "rural" as "any area NOT within EITHER a metropolitan statistical area (as designated by the Office of Management and Budget) OR the outer boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more."

See:

http://www.lawlogix.com/electronic-i9/compliance-measures/governor-brown...

It seems to me that this would mean that USCIS cannot impose E-Verify law on EB-5 projects located in CA.

Recently and in the past, there have been many articles written by people who take the position that they do not like the EB-5 Program because it is tantamount to the U.S. government selling US citizenships in exchange for EB-5 investments from foreigners. Here are specific and detailed reasons why many EB-5 practitioners strongly disagree with the often-stated reasons against the EB-5 Program.

An article on USCIS EB-5 policy from a former USCIS adjudicator, Joseph P. Whalen, who was involved in adjudicating EB-5 cases. Seems like said writer actually agrees with what we have been saying all along in this website. We know Mr.

Personally, I am not a big fan of this course of action or anyone telling potential EB-5 clients to consider doing this. There are many reasons for my stance, but let me give you a few reasons. First, in all likelihood, there will not be sufficient time to accomplish your objective on a tourist visa. Second, it's not guaranteed that your I-526 will be approved. Currently, USCIS is denying or delaying adjudicating I-526s often for reasons that are not really justified under the EB-5 law. Well, let me put it this way: one can always come up with a way to deny I-526s if one wanted to. Third, it's better to not rush things by moving your family before I-526 is approved and immigrant visas are obtained.

You better discuss your case with an EB-5 practitioner with good knowledge of general US immigration laws. This is because while nothing prevents one from filing I-526 immigrant petition or getting I-526 approved, having been out of status or "unlawfully present" will pose big obstacles to your being able to adjust status to permanent resident via I-485 or obtaining immigrant visas via consular processing abroad.

Many people talk about the importance of I-829 approvals: after all, who wants to obtain only conditional green cards and then get I-829s denied?

We have a history of having helped EB-5 investors and EB-5 projects achieve I-829 conditions removals. However, this success is possible only with a concerted cooperation of many parties, including EB-5 investor, the project company and other professionals. Please note that we are not saying we can guarantee I-829 approvals; no one can. But we are saying we have the experience and know-how gained from actually having gone through the often tedious work of what it takes to obtain I-829 approvals.

For a link to sample I-829 approvals and other approvals obtained by our office, go to:

For the link to sample I-829 approvals and other approvals obtained by our office, go to:

http://eb-5center.com/node/572

For the link to sample I-829 approvals and other approvals obtained by our office, go to:

http://eb-5center.com/node/572

http://eb-5center.com/files/Interim_Report_Job_Creation_Report.pdf

Page 35 of the Report states:

"Entrepreneurs in Residence" Initiative

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176...

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19082691

Read the above news regarding some problem developing at one of regional centers. Not good for the RC industry. Seems like EB-5 investors' moneys were used different without their consents. However, it should be noted that most of RCs abide by the rules. Keep in mind that this is an exception rather than a rule.

The EB-5 practitioners are waiting for one of the following to take place:

1. Upcoming USCIS memo revising (hopefully in a good way) previous EB-5 guidance memo, especially Dec. 11, 2009 Neufeld Memo and answering or confirming some pressing EB-5 issues.

2. Implementation more procedural changes proposed -- but most of them have not been implemented, and we don't know when and if ever. At this point, there has been a lot of exciting talk but no real action, except for allowing direct email communication for I-924 regional center designation application or amendment application.

3. Making EB-5 Regional Center Program permanent before the expiration date of Sep 30, 2012.

Until one of the above occurs, there will not any big news.

See here:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176...

Direct Email Communication with EB-5 Regional Center Applicants
Questions and Answers

Introduction
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the first phase in a series of proposed enhancements to the EB-5 program. Beginning today, Form I-924 applicants will be able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via email in an effort to streamline the process and quickly raise and resolve issues and questions that arise during the adjudication process.

It should.