Congress Extends Four Immigration Programs Until December 11

Congress has extended the EB-5, E-Verify, Conrad state 30 (physician J-1 waiver), and religious workers programs until December 11, 2015, as part of congressional passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government.

Members of Congress hope to reauthorize and reform the EB-5 program in the interim, although the outcome is uncertain due to political disputes and legislative scheduling pressures. In January, Reps. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) introduced an EB-5 reauthorization bill in the House of Representatives. In June, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced a reauthorization and reform bill in the Senate. At least two other bills to reform the EB-5 program have also been introduced. Conrad 30 supporters also hope to make changes, such as reducing backlogs in the wait for green cards.