NEW EB-5 REGULATIONS NEAR PUBLICATION MAY SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFY EB-5 REQUIREMENTS

Sep11

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The EB-5 program has been a popular vehicle for immigrant investors to obtain green cards, and status as a permanent lawful resident, in the United States.  Under the EB-5 program, by investing $500,000 in a project located in a “targeted employment area” (generally rural areas and areas with high levels of unemployment) (“TEA”) that creates 10 full-time jobs, the immigrant investor generally can obtain a green card.  Persons interested in the EB-5 program should note that new regulations are near publication that may significantly modify the requirements of the EB-5 program. September 11, 2019

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ICE INTENDING TO ASSESS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN FINES ON SOME UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

Sep09

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Trump administration wants to take adverse action against undocumented immigrants. The latest such example is in the area of financial penalties. Following an executive order by President Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is intending to assess thousands of dollars in fines on some undocumented immigrants. Shortly after taking office, on January 25, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order authorizing “the assessment and collection of all fines and penalties that the Secretary is authorized under the law to assess and collect from aliens unlawfully present

September 9, 2019
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SUPREME COURT AT LEAST TEMPORARILY BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM ADDING CITIZENSHIP QUESTION TO THE 2020 CENSUS

Sep06

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. On any number of issues affecting immigrants, the Federal judiciary has blocked anti-immigration efforts by the Trump administration.  Generally, these actions by Federal judges have come at the District Court and Court of Appeals levels. However, on June 27, the Supreme Court also acted against an anti-immigration policy of the Trump administration, at least temporarily blocking it from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The case (Department of Commerce v. New York, Docket No. 18-966) arose from the decision in March, 2018 by Secretary of

September 6, 2019
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FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS ICE FROM MAKING COURTHOUSE ARRESTS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Sep04

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Given the anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration, it would not be wrong to characterize Federal judges as the “BFF” of immigrants in the United States.  On numerous immigration issues, the decisions of Federal judges have been critical to safeguard the rights of immigrants and restrict the actions of the Trump administration.  Another example of a Federal judge protecting the rights of immigrants occurred on June 20, with the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to block U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) from making courthouse arrests of undocumented immigrants

September 4, 2019
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ILLINOIS BECOMES FIRST STATE TO BAN PRIVATE IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS

Sep02

It has been said that in the face of Congress’ general inability to reach agreement on immigration issues, and President Trump’s anti-immigration policies, only the judicial branch of government appears to be available to protect immigrant rights. However, such statement ignores another part of our overall government system – the states. That the states can support immigrant rights was evidenced on June 21 when Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill under which Illinois became the first state to ban private immigration detention centers. The bill, HB 2040 (the “Private Detention Facility Moratorium Act”), provides, “Detention requires

September 2, 2019
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PRESIDENT TRUMP THREATENS TO DEPORT “MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS”

Aug30

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. President Trump is very good at talking tough on immigration issues.  However, his ability to actually implement anti-immigration policies has often been impeded by judicial opposition, practical limitations, and poor timing.  Such practical limitations and poor timing again may be obstacles with respect to the “tweet” by President Trump on June 17 that threatens to deport “millions of illegal aliens”. President Trump specifically “tweeted”, “Next week ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the

August 30, 2019
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USCIS ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NEW RULE THAT SIGNIFICANTLY REVISES EB-5 PROGRAM

Jul26

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Under the EB-5 program, immigrants who invest $500,000 in a project located in a “targeted employment area” (generally rural areas and areas with high levels of unemployment) (“TEA”) that creates 10 full-time jobs generally can qualify to receive a green card, and permanent lawful resident status, in the United States.  As the EB-5 program has been popular, the announcement in January, 2017 that new regulations would be issued concerning the EB-5 program drew significant attention.  After well over 2 years, the wait for these new regulations is finally over.  On July 23, U.S. Citizenship and

July 26, 2019
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUTS SERVICES FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN IN US SHELTERS

Jul22

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  Would it surprise you that the Trump administration has once again acted to restrict the rights of immigrants?  Probably not. Would it surprise you that in this instance the rights are those of immigrant children, and that the action by the Trump administration has been described as illegal?  Again, unfortunately, probably not, as there appears to be no limit to the reach of the policies of the Trump administration against immigrants. The above comments relate to the decision of the Trump administration to cut educational, recreational, and

July 22, 2019
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO END USE OF IN-PERSON INTERPRETERS AT CERTAIN IMMIGRATION HEARINGS

Jul19

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  At one time, the famous words associated with the Statue of Liberty – “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” – truly exemplified the attitude of the US government toward immigration.  However, under the Trump administration, these words would appear to describe the immigration policies of another country, as the Trump administration takes action on a regular basis to restrict the rights of immigrants. This point was evidenced again by the news that the Trump administration intends to end the use

July 19, 2019
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US VISAS NOW REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION FROM APPLICANTS

Jul17

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq.  It is good advice to be careful with what you post on your social media accounts because you do not want to be later embarrassed about it.  In the past, this advice has often been given to job applicants. Apparently, this advice should also now be given to foreigners seeking US visas.  Effective May 31, 2019, US visa applications will now require social media information from applicants. This new rule, outlined by the US State Department in March, 2018, requires visa applicants to disclose their social

July 17, 2019
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