The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the full text of its proposed regulations governing the US EB 5 Investment Green Card program (also known as the “employment-based fifth preference” or “ immigrant investor visa” program) on January 11, 2017. These proposed amendments to the EB-5 program purport to bring the program in line with statutory changes and existing policies as well as reform aspects that have been in need of revision.

The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2016 Visa Bulletin. EB-2 India has moved from February 1, 2008 to August 1, 2008.

The Department of State released the January 2016 Visa Bulletin. EB-3 China (July 1, 2012) is still ahead of EB-2 China (February 1, 2012). Visa numbers are not available in the Certain Religious Workers (EB-4) and EB-5 Regional Center classes for China. The unavailability of EB-5 Regional Center visa numbers reflects the expiration of the EB-5 Pilot Program on December 11, 2015. If Congress acts to extend these Programs, the cut-off dates for the EB-5 Regional Center class would immediately become "Current" for all countries except China, which would be subject to a January 8, 2014 cut-off date.

Read Kathryn Karam's latest article in the Houston Business Journal: What Donald Trump is Missing in the Immigration Debate.

Read Kathryn N. Karam's latest article in Lebanon Times Magazine on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Employment Creation program.

In the October edition of Lebanon Times reported on the August 8th, 2014 celebration of our One-Year Anniversary!

The American Immigration Council's Immigration Policy Center has published a report on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Employment Creation program and the contributions of EB-5 investors to the U.S. economy. Among other points, the report notes that EB-5 investors have contributed over $2.65 billion to the U.S. economy, supported 33,347 jobs, and paid over $346,000.00 in Federal taxes.

We were pleased to be able to attend the Asian Chamber of Commerce September Luncheon, where Nadine Chen had the opportunity to introduce herself to the Chamber as a new member.

The USCIS California Service Center (CSC), which processes EB-5 Immigrant Investor Petitions, has released processing times:

Last week Charlie W. Oppenheim, Chief of Immigrant Control & Reporting of the State Department, indicated that the EB-5 employment-based visa category would remain current for the foreseeable future. This comes after speculation that EB-5 China might retrogress due to heavy demand in the EB-5 China category. Mr. Oppenheim further indicated that EB-5 availability might be affected in the June or July 2014 Visa Bulletin and that he would try to provide notice one or two months ahead of any retrogression.