Investors & Entrepreneurs Articles

USCIS Announces Filing Fee Increase Effective October 2, 2020 https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/uscis_data_on_application_and_petition_processing_times_feature.jpg 1000 559 SGG Immigration SGG Immigration https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bca52ba5182092dfece5709cf4e99f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g August 19, 2020 August 19, 2020

SGG Immigration
August 19, 2020

USCIS Announces Filing Fee Increase Effective October 2, 2020

On July 31, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security announced that USCIS filing fees will change as of October 2, 2020. Overall, the fees will increase by a weighted average of 20% since the last increase in 2016. However, several applications and petitions will become much more expensive. Here are some of the most significant…

Presidential Order Temporarily Suspending U.S. Immigration https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/overcome-visa-denial.jpg 849 565 Susan Pilcher Susan Pilcher https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/62340b5890c7eb34bffd662d7ed4f518?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 23, 2020 June 2, 2020

Susan Pilcher
April 23, 2020

Presidential Order Temporarily Suspending U.S. Immigration

Citing the need to preserve job opportunities for U.S. workers, President Trump signed an executive order (“EO”) banning the entry as new immigrants of certain foreign nationals for a 60-day period, effective just prior to midnight on April 23, 2020. Those who are subject to the ban will not be issued visas or admitted to…

Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez Is Now Operating Remotely https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Logo-cutout-with-border.jpg 244 302 SGG Immigration SGG Immigration https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bca52ba5182092dfece5709cf4e99f94?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 23, 2020 June 18, 2020

SGG Immigration
March 23, 2020

Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez Is Now Operating Remotely

Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez attorneys and support staff are operating remotely; our offices are closed to the public. This will not impact our ability to provide complete and timely service to our clients. You can reach SGG via our main line (213) 627-8997. If you would like to connect with a specific attorney, please dial…

Expansion of “Travel Ban” to Nigerians Shines New Light on Waiver Process https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/airport-1822133_640.jpg 640 439 Lincoln Stone Lincoln Stone https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/674b21f2c37a297af6db0e0c60515e68?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 4, 2020 February 5, 2020

Lincoln Stone
February 4, 2020

Expansion of “Travel Ban” to Nigerians Shines New Light on Waiver Process

Citing reasons of national security, by Proclamation dated January 31, the U.S. President expanded the “Travel Ban” to nationals of six more countries – Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. The expansion takes effect on February 21, 2020. Given that Nigerians account for 3 times as many immigrant visas as nationals from the five…

New Rule for EB-5 Targeted Employment Areas Significantly Impacts the EB-5 Industry https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-288477.jpeg 4608 3456 Michele Franchett Michele Franchett https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/47fc3e82a0b841fd3a0b2971cf378e7f?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 17, 2019 December 17, 2019

Michele Franchett
December 17, 2019

New Rule for EB-5 Targeted Employment Areas Significantly Impacts the EB-5 Industry

A new USCIS regulation went into effect November 21, 2019, and brings with it significant changes impacting the EB-5 industry. The regulation eliminates the authority of states to designate high unemployment areas for purposes of targeted employment area (“TEA”) eligibility, significantly narrows the definition of a TEA based on high unemployment, and increases the minimum…

The Travel Ban Waiver: A Real Adjudication or Mere Window Dressing? https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Trump-Travel-Ban-Sept-25-2017.jpg 768 604 Lincoln Stone Lincoln Stone https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/674b21f2c37a297af6db0e0c60515e68?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 8, 2019 February 4, 2020

Lincoln Stone
April 8, 2019

The Travel Ban Waiver: A Real Adjudication or Mere Window Dressing?

In a February decision, a judge of the US District Court (Northern District of California) decided that a lawsuit filed on behalf of litigants challenging the “Travel Ban” could proceed over the government’s objection. The case, Emami v. Nielsen, is filed as a class action that could have far-ranging impacts. The Travel Ban, first issued…

Increase in Number of I-9 Audits by ICE https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security.svg_.png 2000 1994 Michele Franchett Michele Franchett https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/47fc3e82a0b841fd3a0b2971cf378e7f?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 14, 2018 June 4, 2019

Michele Franchett
December 14, 2018

Increase in Number of I-9 Audits by ICE

At a recent meeting with Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in connection with a client’s I-9 audit, SGG attorneys asked the agent why there seemed to be a rash of audits targeting smaller employers. The agent’s response to us was that ICE wants employers to know any employer can be audited…