USCIS Begins Implementation of Proposed Enhancements

September 16, 2011

A recent announcement by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will pave the way for new and improved processing of the EB-5 applicants. The announcement follows:

USCIS is implementing the first phase in a series of proposed enhancements to the EB-5 program. Beginning today, Form I-924 applicants will be able to communicate directly with USCIS adjudicators via e-mail in an effort to streamline the process and quickly raise and resolve issues and questions that arise during the adjudication process. The Form I-924 is the Application for Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program. Information on how direct e-mail communication will work can be found in our Questions and Answers document.

USCIS intends to monitor the progress of this new line of communication to assess whether changes are needed and to implement any required changes on a real-time basis. If you have feedback in response to your use of the direct line of communication for the Form I-924, please submit your comments to [email protected].

USCIS is eager to implement all of the proposed enhancements to the EB-5 program that it first announced on May 19, 2011. USCIS is currently exploring how it can accelerate the implementation of premium processing, which customarily takes months due to the need to revise the applicable forms. USCIS is currently hiring economists and other experts that will enhance and accelerate the adjudication process and also help constitute the Decision Board that was first described on May 19.

Implementation of enhancements to the EB-5 program is a high priority for USCIS. Director Alejandro Mayorkas will provide more information about the status of the proposed enhancements and other action items for this program in his first Conversation with the Director this Wednesday, September 14, and in the national stakeholder engagement on Thursday, September 15.

There are three new enhancements that will help the EB-5 applicant process, these include:

Proposed Step 1: Accelerated and Premium Processing of “Shovel-Ready” Cases

This will allow the USCIS to prioritize I-526 (EB-5 Investors application) applicants who are investing in “Shovel-Ready” business projects (ie projects that have necessary approvals and are ready for construction or are ready to begin business once funding is secured)

Proposed Step 2: Specialized Intake Teams for I-924 Applications, with Direct Customer Access

This step will give the USCIS the manpower necessary to review all of the I-924 (Regional Center application) applicants in a timely manner, thus speeding along the process.

Proposed Step 3: Enhanced Decision Process for I-924 Applications, with Option for In-Person or Telephonic Interview

This new step will give a board of distinguished individuals the authority to approve or deny a regional center’s validity in a timely manner.

The US Immigration Fund has already received its I-924 approval and is a recognized regional center by the USCIS. The USIF currently has one “shovel-ready” project, Harbourside Place in Jupiter, Florida, allowing your application to invest and move to the top of the list. For EB-5 investment opportunities in Harbourside Place and other US Immigration Fund projects, please visit https://visaeb-5.com/ . Subscribe to our blog for weekly EB-5 updates or follow us on Twitter @eb5palmbeach for the most up-to-date information. A recent statement released by USCIS on September 16, 2011,
paves the way for new and improved EB-5 applicants. The statement reads as follows:
USCIS is implementing the first phase of a proposed series of EB-5 expedited processes. Starting today, I-924 applicants can contact USCIS adjudicators directly by email to expedite the process and quickly raise and resolve disputes and issues during the adjudication process. Form I-924 is the application form for Regional Centers under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program. Information regarding direct mail communication can be found in our Questions and Answers document.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) intends to examine the progress of this new form of communication to assess the necessity of the changes and to implement any immediate changes to requirements. If you have feedback on the use of the I-924 direct communication format, please submit your comments to [email protected].
USCIS expects to implement all expedited processing proposals for the EB-5 program initially announced on May 19, 2011. USCIS is exploring how this could expedite the implementation of the priority processing pathway, which typically takes several months due to the need to revise applicable forms. USCIS is currently engaging economists and other experts to improve and expedite the processing process, helping to develop this decision announcement initially described on May 19.
Implementing expedited processing for the EB-5 program is a top priority for USCIS. Director Alejandro Mayorkas will provide more information on the status of the proposed expedited processing program and other implementation items of this program at the first Director’s Meeting on Wednesday, September 14, and at the National Stakeholder Management session on Thursday, September 15.

Here are three new acceleration options to help expedite the EB-5 application process:
Proposed Step 1: Accelerated and Prioritized Processing of Ready-to-Invest Projects.
This will allow the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prioritize I-526 applicants with ready-to-invest business projects (projects that have received all necessary approvals and can commence operations immediately upon completion of construction or funding).

Proposed Step 2: Dedicated absorption teams with direct client resources for I-924 applications.
This step will allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to allocate necessary manpower to process all I-924 applications (Regional Center applications) promptly, thus accelerating the entire process.
Proposed Step 3: Accelerated decision-making process for I-924 applications, via interview or telephone.
This new step will authorize outstanding individuals to expedite the approval or denial of a Regional Center’s validity.
The Florida Regional Center has already received I-924 approval and is a USCIS-approved Regional Center. The Florida Regional Center currently has one ready-to-go project, the Harbor Place project, which will place your investment application at the forefront. Please visit our website (https://visaeb-5.com/) to learn about EB-5 investment opportunities in the Florida Regional Center’s Harbor Place project and other projects. Subscribe to our blog for weekly building updates and photos, or follow us on Twitter @eb5palmbeach for the latest news.