The U.S Immigration Department has Proposed Significant Updates to EB-5 Visa Processing

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today proposed significant enhancements to the administration of the Immigrant Investor Program, commonly referred to as the EB-5 Program. The Proposal was made public by USCIS and a summary of the proposal was forwarded to Mr. Darren Silver, Principal Attorney of Darren Silver & Associates.

Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made public a proposal to modify the existing protocol on how EB-5 Regional Center applications are processed and reviewed. USCIS is proposing three fundamental changes to the way it processes EB-5 Regional Center filings. This proposal has been reviewed and is summarized below by Mr. Darren Silver, Principal Attorney of Darren Silver & Associates.

First, USCIS proposes to accelerate its processing of applications for job-creating projects that are fully developed and ready to be implemented. USCIS will also give these EB-5 applicants and petitioners the option to request Premium Processing Service, which guarantees processing within 15 calendar daysfor an additional fee.

Second, USCIS proposes the creation of new specialized intake teams with expertise in economic analysis and the EB-5 Program requirements. EB-5 Regional Center applicants will be able to communicate directly with the specialized intake teams via e-mail to streamline the resolution of issues and quickly address questions or needs related to their applications.

Third, USCIS proposes to convene an expert Decision Board to render decisions regarding EB-5 Regional Center applications. The Decision Board will be composed of an economist and adjudicators and will be supported by legal counsel.

This proposal will be online until June 17, 2011, for public comment —providing stakeholders an opportunity to offer feedback on the proposed changes to the administration of the EB-5 Program.

Mr. Darren Silver, a prominent Immigration Lawyer in the field, whose Firm Darren Silver and Associates specializes in EB-5/Regional Center Immigration believes that action is important to prevent the significant delays that are currently plaguing adjudication. Mr. Silver commends USCIS for realizing that even moderate delays in the adjudication process for some of these Regional Center projects can cause serious financial stain to those projects. He believes that action calling for the expeditious processing of Regional Center certification will be well received in the Legal Community.

Mr. Silver can be contacted directly through his website Darren Silver & Associates which is one of the Nations' preeminent Immigration Law Firms with a focus on Investment Immigration law.