The Trump Administration is reportedly considering a proposal that would impose a $100,000 fee on international students seeking to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program after graduating from a U.S. university. If implemented, the proposal could significantly increase the cost of obtaining post-graduation work authorization. The proposal remains under review at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and no final decision has been announced. This come

When evaluating an EB-5 investment, many investors naturally focus on immigration outcomes, such as project approvals, job creation, and the likelihood of obtaining permanent residency. While these are undoubtedly critical factors, the underlying project deserves just as much attention. At its core, an EB-5 investment is still an investment. The project’s location and the market demand surrounding it can significantly influence construction progress, project success, loan re

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule ending the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) policy for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors. Beginning September 15, 2026, individuals entering the U.S. under F or J status will no longer receive an open-ended period of stay tied solely to maintaining their status. Instead, they will be admitted for the length of their academic or exchange program, subject to a maximum admi

For nearly half a century, international students in the U.S. have operated under the Duration of Status (D/S) framework. That longstanding policy may now be subject to significant change. On May 5, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a final rule affecting F, J and I nonimmigrant classifications to the OMB/OIRA for federal review. The proposed regulatory shift would replace the current D/S system, which permits individuals to remain in the U.S. for as l

A 2025 report by PincusCo ranked iCross Capital, ARCFE’s parent company, 35th out of 105 lending institutions in NYC, highlighting the firm’s growing presence and expertise in one of the most competitive and sophisticated real estate markets in the world. The report noted that NYC construction lending activity surged in 2025, with lenders providing over $23.3B across 344 deals, reflecting strong demand for experienced capital partners capable of navigating complex developme

In recent weeks, a proposed bill in Iowa has drawn significant attention from Chinese international students and families planning long-term careers and residency pathways in the U.S. The legislation, known as HF 2513, would prohibit public universities in Iowa from entering into new employment agreements with certain H-1B visa holders from a list of designated countries. The bill has already passed the Iowa House of Representatives and has advanced through the Senate Labor C

Redeployment is one of the most important (and often misunderstood) concepts in the EB-5 investment process. For investors pursuing permanent residency through the EB-5 program, understanding how redeployment works is essential to managing expectations, mitigating risk, and ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration requirements. What Is “Redeployment”? In the context of the EB-5 program, redeployment refers to the reinvestment of EB-5 capital into a new project or investment

Investors in the EB-5 regional center program make a capital investment into a project by pooling their funds into a New Commercial Enterprise (NCE), which is overseen by a Regional Center. The NCE then deploys these funds to a Job Creating Entity (JCE), which is typically managed by the project developer and is responsible for carrying out the project and creating the required jobs. Here, the EB-5 capital is commonly structured as either equity or a loan. While obtaining a g

The ARCFE Group 14 Union Project (also officially known as Union Center ) top off ceremony was recently held in Flushing, NY, marking a significant construction milestone for this prominent commercial development. As a landmark office project located in the heart of Flushing’s core business district, Union Center’s successful topping off signals the project’s entry into a critical phase of development and underscores its steady execution. The event was attended by local prope