Investors & Entrepreneurs

Investors & Entrepreneurs

The Investor & Entrepreneur Group at SGG is a fully-diversified practice group that serves both immigrant investors and entrepreneurs on the one hand as well as US-based enterprises that raise EB-5 capital on the other hand. While the SGG experience in this practice area is unique in terms of depth, volume, breadth and span of time, SGG is a cutting-edge industry practice leader focused on the rigors of immigration compliance, professional responsibility and Best Practices.

We provide our investor clients with detailed guidance and checklists based on our experience of having successfully represented over 4,000 families in the EB-5 application process, and countless others in pursuing non-immigrant visa options such as the E-2 visa.  Capital-raising groups benefit tremendously from our thorough, systematized due diligence review of EB-5 eligibility drawn from years of hard-won experience represents clients that have raised over $5 billion in EB-5 capital. Perhaps more importantly, those groups find our guidance invaluable not only in developing approvable templates and exemplars, but in navigating challenging issues in the era of re-deployment, visa backlogs, and changed business circumstances

Lincoln
Stone

Lincoln Stone is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law as recognized by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

Elsie Hui
Arias

Elsie Hui Arias is a partner at Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez LLP. She has been certified as a specialist in immigration and nationality law by the State Bar of California Board.

Michele
Franchett

Michele Franchett is a partner at Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez LLP. She is admitted to the California Bar, and is a Certified Specialist in the practice of Immigration and Nationality Law.

Candice
Garrett

Candice Garrett is one of the longest-serving members of the law firm, having worked as a paralegal during law school, a new attorney, and now as one of the team leaders in the law firm.

Recent Articles

New U.S. State Department Directive Updates Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing at U.S. Embassy/Consulate 849 565 Elsie Hui Arias

New U.S. State Department Directive Updates Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing at U.S. Embassy/Consulate

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all foreign nationals scheduling appointments for nonimmigrant visas (e.g. F-1, H-1B, L-1, E-2, etc.) at a U.S. embassy or consulate.   The following policies are effective as of September 6, 2025: Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S.…

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New USCIS Policy Places Heavier Scrutiny On “Good Moral Character” Requirement For Naturalization 1269 1280 Elsie Hui Arias

New USCIS Policy Places Heavier Scrutiny On “Good Moral Character” Requirement For Naturalization

Reflecting a trend under the new administration to narrow eligibility for certain U.S. immigration benefits, USCIS issued a new policy memorandum on August 15, 2025 which directs its officers to place a heavier burden on applicants for naturalization to establish that they satisfy the good moral character requirement for U.S. citizenship. As background, lawful permanent…

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USCIS Narrows  Eligibility for Children Under Child Status Protection Act 1280 854 Candice Garrett

USCIS Narrows  Eligibility for Children Under Child Status Protection Act

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced an update to its Policy Manual regarding the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), which reverts back to its pre-February 14, 2023 policy. As background, for immigration purposes, a “child” is an unmarried individual who is under 21 years old. A person who is older than 21 years is ineligible…

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