USCIS just released its EB5 processing data for the second quarter of 2014.
During the second quarter of 2014, USCIS received total of 2540 I-526 applications and approved 1429, denied 257. The approval rate was 86%. As of March 31, 2014, USCIS had 8,302 I-526 applications pending.
During the same time period, USCIS received 502 I-829 application(removal of condition). USCIS approved 297 and denied 75 with 1,637 I-829 applications pending. The approval rate was 80%.
The Board of Immigration Appeals(BIA) recent ruled that to qualify for “extreme cruelty” cancellation of removal, physical abuse is not required. As long as the actions are severe enough to inflict mental harm to the alien, it will be sufficient to qualify for cancellation of removal relief.
In this case, the immigration judge denied the respondent’s application for cancellation, concluding that the abuse was not severe enough. Respondent’s husband was an alcoholic and gambler. The BIA disagreed with the judge finding the abuse severe enough and reversed judge’s decision.
We have done similar cases before where the abuse was not physical. If you believe you are the victim of an abused relationship and you need immigration status, please contact us for evaluation.