TOP IMMIGRATION AT TORNEYS
NIMA KORPIVAARA
DAVID HIRSON & PARTNERS LLP
Nima Korpivaara joined David
Hirson & Par tners, LLP in
2014. Korpivaara handles all
t ypes of U.S . immigration ,
including complex mat ters
associated with corporate business structure and EB-5
investor applications. Korpivaara practices in the fields of
corporate, investor (E-2 and EB-5) and family immigration
law, representing large and small clients within a variety
of industries. This includes temporary and short-term
work visas, business visas, employment-based and family-
based permanent residency and naturalization. Korpivaara
has successfully represented thousands of investors in
receiving EB-5 green card approval, as well as dozens of
regional centers in successfully receiving designation from
USCIS.
Another half measure by USCIS. It is disingenuous to state
the regulation changes will help to protect investors, while
stimulating the economies of rural areas, without tackling
the actual issues that hinder the EB-5 program - increased
I-526 processing times, complete inability to receive case
status updates, and the multi-year visa backlog. Until these
issues are resolved, we will see a continuous and steep
decline in the number of I-526 filings per year.
WHAT NEW TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
Over the last two years, the national visa center (NVC) has
forecasted a five to six year backlog for Indian nationals.
However, with the new NVC data release, it appears that the
backlog is closer to three years. I believe we will see an
increase in the number of I-526 filing out of India for 2020.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
EB-5 MODERNIZATION CHANGES THAT
TOOK EFFECT IN 2019 WITH THE
INCREASED INVESTMENT AMOUNTS?
CAROLYN LEE
CAROLYN LEE PLLC
Carolyn Lee is the founder
of Carolyn Lee PLLC, an
exclusively EB-5 immigration
f i r m . Le e has re p re se n te d
regional centers, developers,
funds and investors for 15
years, helping U.S. project clients raise $2.5 billion in EB-5
capital. She is the chair of American Immigration Lawyers
Association’s National EB-5 Committee. Lee has served
as legislative counsel to Invest in USA, having authored
legislative commentary since 2012. She is an advocate for
EB-5 integrity reform, long-term program reauthorization,
and visa capacity expansion. Lee authors leading EB-5
publications and speaks internationally on EB-5 visas. She
frequently serves as EB-5 expert in litigation.
WHAT NEW TRENDS ARE YOU
SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
Industry folks, old and new, are thinking outside the box to
turn up new opportunities. It’s a challenging time but also
exciting, because we’re all scrappy entrepreneurs playing
out the original EB-5 spirit again. I believe good things will
come of it.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
EB-5 MODERNIZATION CHANGES THAT
TOOK EFFECT IN 2019 WITH THE
INCREASED INVESTMENT AMOUNTS?
It’s a mixed bag, but on balance. They are a step in the right
direction.
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