The CIS Ombudsman office has announced it will host a joint webinar with USCIS on the EB-5 Program and the implementation of the Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (the RIA). The stated goal of the engagement is to share information and updates on RIA implementation while providing industry stakeholders with an opportunity to have their questions addressed.
This webinar is timely in that it comes on the heels USICS’ release of guidance pertaining to 1.) the sustainment period and 2.) the treatment of investors tied to terminated regional centers. It is noted that during the engagement USCIS staff will cover the revised requirements. IIUSA looks forward to the opportunity to engage with the agency and the Ombudsman office on issues that are critical to EB-5 industry.
JOIN WEBINAR HERE
About the Ombudsman
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) serves as a liaison between the public and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). On any given day, we:
- Help individuals and employers resolve issues they are having with USCIS.
- Hold engagements to hear from the public about their experiences with USCIS.
- Identify issues in the immigration system and make recommendations to USCIS on how to address these problems.
We are an independent office within DHS and are not part of USCIS. This means we cannot approve or deny cases. We also cannot provide legal advice.
###
From the CIS Ombudsman
The CIS Ombudsman’s Webinar Series: Engagement with USCIS on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Monday, October 30, 2023
2-3pm Eastern Time
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) invites you to participate in a joint webinar with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and implementation of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) on Monday, October 30, 2023, from 2 to 3pm Eastern Time.
The RIA revised certain eligibility requirements for the EB-5 program and reformed the regional center program. During the webinar, staff from the CIS Ombudsman and USCIS’ Immigrant Investor Program Office will share information and seek feedback on USCIS’ recent policy guidance on changes made by the RIA and other EB-5 program updates.
During the webinar, participants will be able to submit questions and comments. The questions and comments will be reviewed and shared with USCIS to address, as appropriate, in future engagements or through other communications.
Why This Is Important
USCIS has provided additional guidance on its interpretation of changes to the EB-5 program in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) made by the RIA. USCIS published this guidance on October 11, 2023 on its EB-5 Questions and Answers (updated Oct. 2023) page.
The RIA added new protections for investors in terminated regional centers. USCIS will discuss the guidance for pre-RIA investors associated with regional centers that are terminated. Additionally, the RIA changed required investment timeframes for EB-5 investors who file for classification after the RIA went into effect. USCIS will cover these revised requirements.
To Join
Please join the webinar on Monday, October 30 at 2pm Eastern Time by clicking on this Teams Live link. Registration is not required. For more information on attending a Teams event, see Microsoft’s Attend a live event in Teams page.
