Visas Proposed for Foreign Buyers of U.S. Real Estate

Posted October 24, 2011

Oct. 24, 2011 – A recent legislative proposal by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) has received considerable attention for its originality, if not its audacity.  Under the “Increasing Home Ownership for Priority Visitors” program, foreigners could obtain a three-year visa to allow presence (but not employment) in the U.S. in exchange for purchasing real property valued at $500,000 or greater and residing there a minimum of six months a year.  While this proposal scores points for originality by addressing two pressing issues (immigration reform and the housing crisis), most practitioners will tell you that as-yet-revealed details of this proposal will likely underscore vast weaknesses as a workable visa category.  Would tracks of foreclosed homes become havens for wealthy Saudi or Chinese investors?  How do you verify the six-month residence requirement without adding bureacracy?  If employment authorization is not embedded, why would wealthy foreigners be satisfied at buying a six-month vacation home with a likely negligible ROI?  Could they obtain dual status to work?  Bottom line: Don’t hold your breath, Donald Trumpski.

Tagged with: • •
 

DHS Stepping Up Security Checks on Visa Overstays.

Posted September 19, 2011

The Department of Homeland Security has increased national security reviews of travelers who overstay their visas, including cross-checking individuals with interagency databases. Announcing a program that effectively started this past spring, DHS deputy counterterrorism coordinator John Cohen revealed that a recent check of 1.6 million overstay records resulted in follow up investigations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of almost 2,000 individuals deemed possible threats to national security or public safety. The program, initially recommended by the 9/11 Commission in response to the terrorist hijackers who overstayed their visas, is expected to continue for the indefinite future. From the New York Daily News.

Tagged with: • • • •
 

Homepage

Posted August 19, 2011
Tagged with: •
 

Practice Areas

Posted July 26, 2011

PRACTICE AREAS

 

Applications and Petitions for Visas, and Business Transactions

We represent foreign investors and workers and/or their sponsoring U.S. employers in procurement of the complete range of work and travel visas, including visas for spouses and family members, extensions and changes of status within the U.S., visa renewals abroad, and all family-related immigration matters.

We also represent small and medium-sized businesses with start-up assistance, including incorporation, business plan writing and equity and benefit plans development, as well as ongoing corporate and business transactional matters.

For accurate and timely information about non-immigrant visa categories and eligibility, see the State Department’s official website at http://travel.state.gov.

Temporary visitors (B-1/2)

Border Crossers (BCC)

Business investors and international traders (E-1/E-2)

Australian specialty occupation workers (E-3)

Academic students (F-1/F-2)

Specialty occupation employment (H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-4)

Chilean and Singaporean specialty workers (H-1B1)

International media and press (I-1)

Exchange program visitors (J-1, waivers)

Fiancés and spouses married abroad, dependents (K-1/K-2/K-3)

Executives, managers and specialized knowledge employees transferring to U.S. (L-1A/B)

Vocational students (M-1)

Extraordinary ability workers (O-1/O-2/O-3)

Artists, entertainers and athletes (P-1/P-2)

International cultural exchanges visitors (Q-1)

NAFTA workers (TN)

Religious workers (R)

Consular assistance abroad

Extensions and changes of non-immigrant status

Requests for Evidence (RFE), motions to reopen and appeals (AAO)

 

Applications and Petitions for Permanent Residence

Family based sponsorship (I-130, 1-485)

Marriages and adjustment of status (I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765)

Marriage interviews, best evidence and Affidavit of Support requirements

Fiancés and dependents (I-129F, DS-156K)

Work authorization documents (I-765/EADS)

Travel documents (I-765)

Removal of conditional residence (I-751)

Consular processing (DS-230)

Medical examinations (I-693)

Green card renewal or replacement

Age-out, passport and travel issues

Adoptions

 

U.S. Employers and Permanent Residence Sponsorship

I-9s and E-Verify

Department of Labor and ICE audits

Employment visas (H-1Bs, TNs, etc.), LCAs and salary surveys

Labor certification assistance and project management

Labor certification audits and appeals (BALCA)

Employer petitions (I-140, all preference categories)

National interest waivers

Health care workers

Skilled and migrant labor

Domestic workers

 

Investors, Traders and Entrepreneurs

E-1 treaty traders

E-2 treaty investors

EB-5 immigrant investors

Incorporations, share distribution, corporate record-keeping, leases and business plans

 

Citizenship and Naturalization

Applications for naturalization (N-400)

Examination prep and study material

Qualification, strategies and timing

Dual citizenship

 

Defenses to Removal and Deportation

Notices to Appear (NTAs)

Detentions and hearings

Voluntary departure

Waivers of bars to readmission

Tagged with: • • • •
 

Next Entries »