USCIS Proposes EB-5 Changes; Accepting Comments Until June 17

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed significant changes to the administration of the EB-5 immigrant investor program’s intake and review process. USCIS will accept comments until June 17, 2011, via e-mail to opefeedback@uscis.dhs.gov.

USCIS is proposing three fundamental changes to the way it processes certain regional center filings. 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 days for 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 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.

• USCIS’s announcement
• The proposal (PDF).
• Info: how to submit comments