What was discussed on the USCIS stakeholder call on April 23?

The call was for soliciting suggestions from the EB-5 community for future regulatory changes. Of course, processing times was a hot topic.

The USCIS stakeholder meeting is a forum for immigration attorneys or other parties to make suggestions and comments; USCIS does not update processing times. For processing times, you can check the USCIS website.

The stakeholder call consisted of comments from the participants on how to improve the EB-5 process through predictability and clarity. In fact, I commended that premium processing be available for the adjudication of I-924 and I-526 petitions. This would be in the best interests of the EB-5 industry and create predictability and clarity.

We were limited to expressing our view points and suggestions in changes in regulations. No substantive case questions or issues can be raised. The typical topics included expressing need/want for premium processing, but some opposition to premium processing was raised. As far as updates on processing times go, the USCIS posted their processing time as of 4/21/2014: I-1526 = 5/18/2013; I-829 = 4/9/2013; I-924 = 1/25/2013.

That call was for USCIS to listen to stakeholder comments regarding proposed regulatory changes to the EB-5 program. There was no substantive information from USCIS regarding EB-5 policy or processing times.

For the most part, USCIS was seeking feedback on policy issues of concern to the EB-5 community. No details on I-526 processing times.

The stakeholder''s meeting was not about updating people on the EB-5 program. It was a forum for comments from practitioners on ways to improve the program.