BlogLine

The Entrepreneurs Parole Visa – Full Steam Ahead – For Now

12/4/17

By: Kenneth S. Levine
On 12/1/2017 a Federal Judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security did not have legal cause to delay the enactment of a visa program for foreign entrepreneurs. The program, referred to as the “International Entrepreneur Rule,” was supposed to have gone into effect on 07/17/2017.
On 7/10/2017 the current presidential administration announced a delay in the program until March 2018. As FMG predicted back in July 2017, litigation immediately ensued, and the Federal Court did in fact determine that the rule delay was unlawful because it failed to comply with the APA (Administrative Procedures Act).
The Court’s decision mandates that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must immediately begin accepting applications under this program. Applicants may be “paroled” (i.e., admitted) into the U.S. to run their own business if they can show at least $250,000 of investment capital from established, reputable investors.
It is anticipated that the current presidential administration will seek to enact a complete withdrawal of the program through the APA’s formal rule making process. While a complete withdrawal would likely take 1-2 years, it is unknown whether the current administration will be able to legally halt the program through the judicial appeals process. Accordingly, FMG Immigration Attorneys urge those interested in applying for the program to do so promptly.
For additional information related to this topic and for advice regarding how to navigate U.S. immigration laws you may contact Kenneth S. Levine of the law firm of Freeman, Mathis & Gary, LLP at (770-551-2700) or klevine@fmglaw.com.