The American Dream: EB-5 Visa Opportunities

The American Dream is alive and well, and people across the world are fulfilling their own U.S. immigration goals through the EB-5 Visa Program.  Compared with other countries, the United States is still a safe place to invest money, raise a family and start a business.  The EB-5 visa and the various paths it offers allows immigrants to live and work anywhere in the country.  There are even passive investment opportunities for those who don’t wish to work, or would like to work someplace other than the EB-5 project they invest in.

The United States’ foundation was built by immigrant communities, and despite economic hardship across the globe, people still flock to the U.S. for better opportunities.

How can the EB-5 visa benefit you and your family?  U.S. immigration law is structured in a way that doesn’t offer many opportunities for permanent residency (green card) for people without ties to the United States.  Unless you have a relative to sponsor you, or an employer willing to sponsor you, the EB-5 visa may be your only option.

The EB-5 Visa Program allows foreign nationals the opportunity to make a qualified investment into a U.S. business in exchange for their green card.  There are no English language requirements, family ties or job offers needed.  Provided the investor invests the requisite funds they likely qualify.

What are your options for EB-5 Investments?  Most EB-5 investment opportunities offer flexible options for potential investors.  Depending on your needs and goals, you can take an active role in the project or a completely passive role.  The investment amount is $1 Million but may be reduced to $500,000 in certain designated areas.

Often, an investor wishes to fund the EB-5 investment and not worry about the day-to-day operations of the business and immigration requirements.  This is absolutely possible and encouraged by immigration attorneys.  As an EB-5 investor, you don’t want to be burdened with EB-5 compliance and immigration issues – leave those worries up to the EB-5 project management.

Once invested, you are free to live and work (or not work) anywhere in the United States. 

To learn more about the EB-5 Visa Program and how you can make your American Dream a reality, contact Kyle Barella at General Counsel, P.C., 703.556.0411, or by email at kbarella@gcpc.com.  You can visit our website at www.eb5investmentlaw.com.  Our office is conveniently located in the Washington DC Metro area.

Immigration Courts to Expedite Children's Cases

Criticism over slow processing times and system backlog has led immigration courts to speed up the cases for Central American children detained at the border. 

Generally when an undocumented alien is detained at the border for attempting to illegally enter the United States they are given a date to report to court for an initial hearing.  Often, due to a large backlog of cases the hearing may not be scheduled months and sometimes even over a year.

Children detained at the border will now be granted their initial hearing within three weeks.  While many Americans are praising this decision to process and potentially deport these children in a timely manner, some fear that the three week expedited hearing does not allow the child to obtain competent legal counsel. 

With a shortage of pro-bono attorneys to represent these children, many wonder if three weeks is enough time prepare a case arguing that the child should remain in the country legally.

Ultimately immigration judges need to ensure that each child has been given proper due process to avoid any unnecessary appeals.  There is a fine line between speeding up cases to promote efficiency, and speeding up cases too fast that may lead to mistakes resulting in even more delay.

For additional information on immigration law or to speak with an immigration attorney, contact General Counsel, PC at 703.556.0411 or by email at kbarella@gcpc.com.