EB-5: Economic development at its best! But...

The principle of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program, launched in 1992, is to stimulate investment and job growth in the US through foreign direct investment.  In return, the investor receives a Green Card for themselves and their direct family members.  The hitch - NONE! 

Well, that is only if the EB-5 Regional Center or project that manages these investments and job creation projects does so in an honest, transparent and accountable fashion...

Over the almost 20 year history of the EB-5 program we've seen times when important problems arose in the management of the process.  These problems led to the program effectively being shut down between 1998-2002.  Only through a more hands-on approach by USCIS were these problems overcome and the program brought back on track - for now...

Since 2005 the use of the EB-5 program has increased significantly.  From just over 500 in 2006 to a peak at 3200 in 2009, Q1 of 2011 indicates that this year will see a record set for EB-5 investments.  At its current pace, we should see well over $2 billion in investments and the creation or maintenance of over 50,000 jobs. 

As we mentioned earlier, we've also seen a significant increase in the number of Regional Centers being set up.  We now have over 150 competing for investments and the jobs that they create.  This is both a good thing and a bad thing.  Good because we all want to create wealth and jobs, and a little bit of competition never hurt anyone.  Bad because there is an uncertainty in the quality, transparency and accountability of each of these new centers. 

We're talking about a lot of money here, and we're talking about the expectations of our investors.  Investors have to make sure that their money (and as such their permanent residency) is safely managed.  Project managers and Regional Centers have to make sure that the way they function ensures that trust in the EB-5 program is maintained.  Fears over 'Ponzi' schemes, perceived mismanagement of projects, and the lack of real job creation all plague our program.

Search out EB-5 projects that are structured to ensure quality investments, real job creation, and the successful attainment of permanent residence for each and every investor.