Naturalization Information Sessions to Assist Naturalization Applications

February 2, 2026October 29, 2009 by Brian Lerner

Below is a list of upcoming naturalization information sessions for legal permanent residents, And interested naturalization applicants.Topics covered at these FREE sessions will include:-naturalization eligibility requirements-the naturalization process-the naturalization test-rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenshipEmail addresses,Should be used for questions about naturalization information sessions only. We are unable to respond to specific case inquiries. For …

International Exchange Center Expands Trainee Designation

November 19, 2025October 29, 2009 by Brian Lerner

The International Exchange Center of the American Immigration Council (formerly AILF) has been approved by the Department of State to expand its trainee designation. This expansion includes support for those seeking International Exchange Center J-1 trainee intern sponsorship.The 6 new occupations in the trainee designation include Arts & Culture; Tourism; Social Sciences, Library Science, Non-clinical Counseling, and Social …

The BIA Denies Respondent’s Motion to Reopen and Further Grants

January 4, 2026October 29, 2009 by Brian Lerner

BIA finds that it generally lacks authority to reopen final exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings where an alien seeks to pursue relief over which neither the Board nor the IJ has jurisdiction. BIA denies respondent’s motion to reopen and further grants the DHS motion to reopen and terminate removal proceedings.(Matter of Yauri, 25 I&N Dec. …

CA6 Finds IJ has Authority to Determine Frivolousness

September 17, 2023October 29, 2009 by Brian Lerner

The court finds that IJs have the authority to make a levity finding in the context of a subject of asylum application. The court denies the appeal for review. (Ghazali v. Holder, 10/29/09). Under the federal regulations, asylum seekers can get in trouble if they file a “knowingly frivolous” application. Knowingly frivolous means that one or …

Obama Signs FY10 DHS Spending Bill

January 14, 2025October 29, 2009 by Brian Lerner

On 10/28/09, President Obama signed into law the FY10 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill (P.L.111-83).The law extends the non-minister religious worker (section 568),. The “Conrad 30” (section 568),.The EB-5 visa (section 548),. And the E-Verify (section 547) programs through September 30, 2012.The law also includes statutory authority for USCIS to complete processing of permanent …

EB-5 regional center investments for only $500,000, not the $1,000,000

January 6, 2026October 26, 2009 by Brian Lerner

On July 22, 2009, the U.S. Senate’s Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on “Promoting Job Creation and Foreign Investment in the United States:An Assessment of the EB-5 Regional Center Program.” There was discussion that the EB-5 Regional Center Program has been responsible for the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars. It has also …

Lawful Permanent Residency Petition Granted

December 21, 2025October 22, 2009 by Brian Lerner

Conditional Residency Petition Granted — what it means and next steps toward permanent residence When USCIS or an immigration judge grants a petition to remove conditions on residence, the conditional permanent resident becomes a lawful permanent resident without conditions — commonly called a permanent resident. This page explains the two common removal paths (I-751 and …

No appeal? Case was terminated by DHS

January 5, 2026October 22, 2009 by Brian Lerner

Deportation case close. No appeal by DHS. We showed that ratification not properly executed and removability not established. Deportation has often had a broader meaning, including exile, banishment, and the transportation of criminals to penal settlements. Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign national from another country. It is the expulsion of a person or …

Court Reinstates and Dismisses Immigration Case

December 21, 2025October 21, 2009 by Brian Lerner

Case reinstated and dismissed by Court. Client came with case at NVC pending for more than 1 year. However, we reinstated the case so now it is up and running and Client can get Residency. Reinstatement is the default remedy of an illegal dismissal case. — What it means and next steps When an immigration case is reinstated …

EB-5 qualified investment visa requirements

December 18, 2025October 19, 2009 by Brian Lerner

An lender must invest or be in the process of finance capital in the amount of $1million, Or invest or be in the process of investing $500,000, If the investment is in a area.An investment can be cash, Equipment, Inventory, Other real property, Cash and secured by assets owned by the business person, Dollars and …

EB-5 Investment Visa: Basic Eligibility and Criteria Explained

January 6, 2026October 19, 2009 by Brian Lerner

Employment-based visas, In a number not to exceed 7.1% of the worldwide level,Or official notice of such an agreement, . Alien business person must submit appeal to the USCIS Center,Having jurisdiction over the area, In which the commercial act is doing business.Who invest in a new commercial act Which will create profession in a targeted …

New Regs on the EB-5 Immigrant Visa

January 5, 2026October 19, 2009 by Brian Lerner

In 2009, the USCIS Ombudsman issued a comprehensive report with several crucial recommendations for the USCIS to significantly improve its policies and processes specifically for the EB-5 immigrant visa category, with the overarching goal of stabilizing and energizing the entire program to foster greater investor confidence. The Ombudsman strongly recommended that the USCIS should proactively establish a regulatory …

History of EB-5 visa program

November 11, 2025October 19, 2009 by Brian Lerner

The fifth and final group of aliens for whom employment-based immigrant classification is available includes work creation immigrants, Sometimes referred to as entrepreneurs.Qualifying immigrants must be seeking to enter the United States,The purpose of engaging in a new commercial enterprise: (1) which the alien has established, (2) in which the alien has invested, After November …

EB-5 investor visa program

January 21, 2026October 19, 2009 by Brian Lerner

An EB-5 Visa is one of the nicest visas as it allows the client to run your own business, and invest here in the U.S. . Additionally, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old can come as beneficiaries of the EB-5 Investment Visa Petition.The children will be able to go to school in …

PERM Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

January 22, 2026October 10, 2009 by Brian Lerner

Question: I have several issues and questions regarding the PERM. I am particularly seeking information about the immigration perm process. Answer: In the event an employer is unable to withdraw electronically, the employer should send a withdrawal request by e-mail to the appropriate National Processing Center at: PLC.Chicago@dol.gov (for Chicago) or PLC.Atlanta@dol.gov (for Atlanta). In …

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