The Federal Register published notice on November 15, 2025 of USCIS approval for 12 additional high unemployment area target employment area designations effective December 1, 2025. The new designations represent the largest single approval wave since implementation of the RIA framework and bring the total number of approved HUA designations nationwide to 205.
The newly approved HUA designations include territories across Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, and Colorado. Each designation was approved following detailed economic analysis and unemployment rate verification demonstrating that the area meets statutory criteria for HUA designation. USCIS emphasized that the careful evaluation process ensures that approved territories will support meaningful economic development and employment creation objectives.
Regional centers report significantly increased client interest in projects located within newly approved HUA territories. Several regional centers have initiated feasibility studies for projects in newly designated areas and anticipate launching projects in the coming months. The expansion of approved HUA territories continues to support policy objectives of extending EB-5 program benefits to areas beyond traditional coastal metropolitan markets.
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