The EB-5 Regional Center Program is set to expire on December 8, 2017. As stated before, the DHS is proposing to increase the minimum investment amounts for all new EB-5 petitioners. Specifically, the standard minimum investment amount, which also applies to high employment areas, may be increased from $1 million to $1.8 million. For those investors seeking to invest in a new commercial enterprise that will be principally doing business in a targeted employment area (TEA), DHS proposes to increase the minimum investment amount from $500,000 to $1.35 million. We therefore strongly encourage our clients and friends to submit their EB-5 petitions before the expiration deadline! Please conta

Simone Williams, Managing Attorney with Williams Global Law, is serving on gala host committee for the Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards. This annual event will be held on Friday, November 17, 2017 in Washington, DC at the JW Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW. The CARAH Awards aims to raise the visibility of Caribbean Americans who have been successful in their field, and contributed to the American landscape. The event was created as a forum for highlighting Caribbean American’s contributions to America across all sectors of endeavor. Since its founding, the CARAH Awards, have been awarded to over fifty distinguished individuals including for example: Earl Graves Snr., Publi

On October 25, 2017, Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) hosted several minority entrepreneurs at the U.S. Capitol to discuss the Republican tax reform plan and its affect on small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families. Joining the conversation was Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway, U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza, and Raynard Jackson, Founder and Chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future. Immediately following her remarks, a private roundtable was held to address the issues faced by minority entrepreneurs.

As part of Howard Law School’s “Pathways to Success” professionalism program, the law school hosted a “mocktail” reception, to assist first-year students in developing their networking skills. The event was a huge success and rewarding experience for all that participated!

Based on a new information-sharing partnership between U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), foreign nationals applying for work authorization in the United States may now use the updated form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to not only obtain a work permit (EAD), but also a social security number (SSN). Previously, applicants needed to submit a Form I-765 to USCIS for an EAD, and then submit additional paperwork in-person at their local Social Security office to obtain an SSN. The revised USCIS form includes additional questions that allow applicants to apply for an SSN or replacement card without visiting a Social S

On September 18, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a new rule which allows USCIS storing “social media handles and aliases, associated identifiable information, and search results” in the immigration records (A-Files) of applicants and petitioners seeking immigration benefits. A-Files, immigration case files, are used primarily by DHS employees for immigration processing and adjudication, protection of national security, and administering and enforcing immigration and nationality laws and related regulations and policy. These records also assist DHS with detecting violations of immigration and nationality laws, supporting the referral of such violations for prosecution o

Under updated policy guidance, USCIS has authorized its employees to re-adjudicate beneficiaries’ eligibility for certain nonimmigrant classifications when requesting extension of stay, even if no changes were present. The guidance applies to nearly all nonimmigrant classifications filed using Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. The updated guidance instructs officers to apply the same level of scrutiny not only when reviewing initial application for a nonimmigrant visa, but also for extension requests, even where the underlying facts are unchanged from a previously approved petition. Due to the updated policy, it is possible that the USCIS may delay sending future requests for e

Effective October 1, 2017, USCIS has begun phasing-in in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States. This change complies with Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” and is part of the agency’s comprehensive strategy to further improve the detection and prevention of fraud and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system. The interviews will be conducted for the following: • Adjustment of status applications based on employment, and • Refugee/asylee relative petitions for beneficiaries who are in the United States and