Investors & Entrepreneurs Articles

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/1802a154abc7bf9e9f91b220501208a6fac960ada1fd9cb2968c0176fe1a0bad?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/682142c5d71f9c57dc624eda4aa8d5049962a816ebe5177cff6265964e8d538d?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/1802a154abc7bf9e9f91b220501208a6fac960ada1fd9cb2968c0176fe1a0bad?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/682142c5d71f9c57dc624eda4aa8d5049962a816ebe5177cff6265964e8d538d?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…

Meet Candice Garrett https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Resized952017101495185655957448_02.jpg 1512 2016 Sara Rosenblit Sara Rosenblit https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7a3d052cef15a55721a87801ca0d7ee87f8a0343eb089cd345b151c70644bd02?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 5, 2018 June 4, 2019

Sara Rosenblit
April 5, 2018

Meet Candice Garrett

SGG is comprised of 17 attorneys and a team of experienced paralegals and administrative staff who are devoted to producing excellent work product and client service. Below is a Q&A with Candice Garett, one of the longest-serving members of the law firm and an attorney in the Investors & Entrepreneurs Practice Group. Question: What is…

USCIS Now Accepts Credit Card Payments for Most Filing Fees https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/uscis_data_on_application_and_petition_processing_times_feature.jpg 1000 559 Michele Franchett Michele Franchett https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/682142c5d71f9c57dc624eda4aa8d5049962a816ebe5177cff6265964e8d538d?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 5, 2018 June 4, 2019

Michele Franchett
April 5, 2018

USCIS Now Accepts Credit Card Payments for Most Filing Fees

On February 14, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin accepting credit card payments for most form filing fees. The new payment option is available for 41 fee-based forms that are processed at USCIS Lockbox facilities, including the following commonly used forms: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative; Form I-131, Application for…

EB-5 Regional Center Program Extended Until September 30, 2018 https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/regional-center-termination.jpg 4111 2741 Elsie Hui Arias Elsie Hui Arias https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4ec7ccb2fcbe3d6b076576abb9e830b6e693abd48baf31e78530dad8809c0764?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 5, 2018 June 4, 2019

Elsie Hui Arias
April 5, 2018

EB-5 Regional Center Program Extended Until September 30, 2018

The U.S. Congress recently extended the EB-5 Regional Center Program through September 30, 2018 as part of the Omnibus budget package. The extension was passed without changes to the current statutory or regulatory requirements. In summary, foreign nationals who invest equity capital in a new commercial enterprise, which in turn results in the creation of…