Musings on Immigration

The EB-5 visa program was designed to stimulate the U.S. economy and to encourage job creation in rural and low-employment areas. Although the program has been effective, a recent report from Breitbart News identifies several cases of fraud related to the EB-5 program. Reform has been elusive despite bipartisan efforts to reduce fraud. According to the news site VTDigger , Senators Patrick Leahy and Chuck Grassley recently testified before the House of Representatives regarding the various issues with the EB-5 program. Leahy, who had once championed the program, pointed out several potential improvements that could reduce fraud and abuse: 1.      Prevent the formation of Targeted Employment Areas through gerrymandering; 2.      Increase the minimum investment requirements; 3.      Adequately vet the funds invested through the EB-5 program; 4.      Ensure jobs created by the EB-5 program ...

A bill proposed by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) has been heralded by real estate experts and other industries that rely on EB-5 investors. If passed, the spouse and children of an EB-5 visa holder would no longer count toward the annual visa cap of 10,000, which would increase the number of investors who qualify for EB-5 visas. The bill also proposes an increase in the minimum investment requirement in targeted employment areas from $500,000 to $800,000 and a reduction in the minimum investment for non-targeted areas from $1 million to $925,000. According to The Real Deal , real estate experts hope the bill will pass at the end of September. If the bill does not pass, they expect U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to make a similar change to the EB-5 visa program. If you are a foreign entrepreneur who is interested in obtaining an EB-5 visa, or if you are a U.S.-based company seeking investments through the EB-5 program, contact Kuck Immigration Partners . Charl...

The EB-5 visa program allows foreign entrepreneurs and their families to become lawful permanent residents in the United States if they make a qualifying investment in a U.S. enterprise. On April 28, despite a flurry of proposals to reform the EB-5 program, Congress passed a stopgap funding bill that extended the program in its current form through September. As many potential investors have heard, there have been calls to adjust the minimum investment amounts, introduce stricter regulatory processes, and reclassify targeted employment areas. If you are interested in acquiring a green card through the EB-5 program, you should take action before potential reforms limit their issuance. Attorney Charles Kuck can evaluate your situation, answer your questions about the EB-5 visa program, and help you navigate the petitioning process. Charles Kuck is the past President of both the American Immigration Lawyers Association(AILA) and the Alliance of Business Immigration Law...