We have, for several months, been concerned about a number of developments regarding some of the regional centers offering EB-5 programs. We therefore decided, after finishing our book Green Card via the Red Carpet, to spend a number of weeks conducting further in-depth research into the various regional center immigrant investor programs.

As immigration advocates who have successfully worked with over 150 EB-5 applicants from many countries, our view is very clear.  Would-be EB-5 investors generally wish to focus on successfully obtaining green cards, maintaining their green cards visa status, and finally obtaining the return of their $500.000 investment. Additionally some seek a sizable return on their $500,000 investment, but generally not at the risk of jeopardizing their original capital or risking the failure of  removal of conditions and potential deportation.

Our weeks of follow-up research however have highlighted many important issues which we intend to cover in short blog style articles over the next month including –

• The need to be given the facts rather than a sales presentation.
• Why you need to be taking advice from EB5 consultants who work only with potential immigrants, rather than consultants who also offer services to the regional centers themselves; providing a potential conflict of interest.
• How to be aware of the limitations of certain information – for example: What, realistically, are you likely to learn from a video interview with the head of a regional center? – it’s unlikely to focus on any bad press!
• The need to be aware of the background of the people you are dealing with.  We have identified some issues which should be of real concern if you are investing $500,000 of your hard earned money, particularly if those giving you advice have had previous problems with the authorities – our research has indicated some who have!
• The need to be aware that you, like others before you, can fall victim to tactics more in keeping with a car salesman that someone really interested in your families’ welfare. We are sadly aware of immigrants investing in certain programs where the sales talk sounded great but previous investors have not received their $500,000 back and others who did not have their conditions removed after twenty one months and now face deportation.

There can be enormous questions posed when many of the investors in a program do not speak English and are totally reliant on commission earning intermediaries who may be focusing on the center paying them the highest fee.

Another potential disaster is incorrect information – we have been appalled by some of the inaccuracies we have come across, including disturbingly, some from Attorneys.

Just as bad are the cases of Attorneys and Consultants who have led potential clients to believe that they are experts on the EB-5 visa and then approach us (often anonymously or using an alias) for the information to give the clients. We have been clamping down on this practice as having worked with immigrants for many years, and being immigrants ourselves to the USA; we understand all too well the reliance placed upon accurate and independent advice. You just have to make sure the information you are getting is just that, accurate and independent.

Does this mean everything you are likely to be told is flawed, or that the risks may be too great? Well, on the positive side, we have examples of a few regional centers that do not need to actively market and do not need the sales talk. They have not only successfully worked with EB-5 immigrant investors all over the world, they can also point to the fact that unlike many who rely on sales talk, they have actually returned investors $500,000 and the families are now happily established in the USA living their American dream.

We intend to cover all these issues in our forthcoming series of blogs and can talk this through with you over the phone or at our office. For more details please use the form on this blog or contact us via email from our website www.WhichEB5.com