In this edition, find the latest news on WR Immigration’s lawsuit over wasted EB-5 visas, new STEM resources released for noncitizens, Ukrainians admitted into the U.S. in July, and more!
WR Immigration Files Litigation Over Wasted EB-5 Visas
On Friday, August 5th, 2022, WR Immigration and Banias Law filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of hundreds of Chinese foreign national plaintiffs requesting the court to compel the U.S. Department of State to authorize fiscal year (FY) 2022 EB-5 immigrant visa numbers be allocated to all plaintiffs and their families by September 30, 2022, and to process their immigrant visa applications promptly.
This lawsuit seeks to compel the State Department to follow the plain language of its own regulations and “allocate” the visas prior to the end of FY 2022. In the past, if visa quotas are not allocated prior to the end of a fiscal year, they are forever wasted. Once the visas are allocated, this complaint also seeks to compel the State Department to issue the immigrant visas at a later date after a consular officer has thoroughly vetted each visa applicant. This proposed modus operandi effectuates congressional intent to provide a fixed annual quota of visas.
Plaintiffs allege that this intent is being thwarted by the State Department failing to allocate the supply of available visas, causing “age-outs” of their children and unfairly prolonging the required time their EB-5 investment capital must be deployed.
Approximately 18,000 EB-5 visas were wasted last fiscal year and cannot be used anymore without Congressional action. In FY 2022, which ends this September 30th, over 11,000 immigrant visas should be available to China-mainland EB-5 investors, and it is almost certain most of these will be wasted unless WR’s complaint prevails.
Details:
- Lawsuit Filed to Stop Wastage of EB-5 Investor Visas, AP News, August 5, 2022, https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/travel-china-immigration-congress-87c02a6fc5e94e0a1011fc5e5d96429e
New STEM Resources Released
Several entities have released new resources for noncitizens in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published resources to provide an overview of some of the temporary and permanent pathways for noncitizens to work in the United States in STEM fields. The materials also highlight some of the most important considerations for STEM professionals who want to work in the United States. New pages include “Options for Noncitizen STEM Professionals to Work in the United States,” “Nonimmigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States,” and “Immigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States.” https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/new-stem-resources-available-on-uscis-website
- The American Immigration Council rolled out a new website with guides and frequently asked questions on the five international STEM talent policies announced in January 2022 by the Biden administration to enhance the ability of the United States to attract and retain international STEM talent. The website features five guides and FAQs (https://info.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/stem-faqs/faqs.html) and new research and links to other work (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/foreign-born-stem-workers-united-states)
- In a new policy brief, the National Foundation for American Policy has documented the role played by immigrants as founders and key personnel in many of the United States’ most innovative companies. The research shows the importance of immigrants in cutting-edge companies and the U.S. economy at a time when U.S. immigration policies have pushed talent to other countries. https://nfap.com/research/new-nfap-policy-brief-immigrant-entrepreneurs-and-u-s-billion-dollar-companies/
100,000 Ukrainians Admitted to United States in July
According to reports, as part of what’s being called the largest refugee exodus since World War II, more than 100,000 Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion of their country have been admitted into the United States, mostly in temporary statuses.
Included are approximately 47,000 on temporary visas, including tourist visas; 30,000 under the “Uniting for Ukraine” program, which includes humanitarian parole; and 22,000 paroled in at the U.S.-Mexico border. Five hundred entered the United States via the refugee system.
Details:
- U.S. Admits 100,000 Ukrainians in 5 Months, Fulfilling Biden Pledge, CBS News, July 29, 2022, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-admits-100000-ukrainians-in-5-months-fulfilling-biden-pledge/
USCIS Will No Longer Accept Combined Fee Payments for EB-5 Applications/Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that beginning September 1, 2022, it will no longer accept a single, combined fee payment when an applicant or petitioner files EB-5 immigrant investor applications or petitions with related forms. If a petitioner or applicant submits a single, combined fee payment for the forms listed below, USCIS will reject the forms for improper fee payment and return the fee.
Specifically, USCIS will no longer accept combined payments when an immigrant investor files Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, or Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor, together with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; or Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Details:
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program alert, USCIS, Aug. 2, 2022, https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/eb-5-immigrant-investor-program
