The latest insights and analysis on U.S. immigration law from Barella Global.
As an immigration attorney representing EB-5 investors, one of the frequently asked questions is: what is the total cost of an EB-5 Regional Center investment? Savvy investors understand, in order to go through the EB-5 Visa process, they will incur other expenses in addition to the $500,000 capital investment.
H-1B season is upon us, and it’s that time of the year when employers looking to hire a foreign national should consider contacting an immigration attorney to begin the application.
On January 28, Barella Law, LLC spoke to a group of Quebeckers at the annual Conférence Snowbirds en Floride (Snowbirds Conference in Florida) in Aventura, Florida.
The wait is over, and you have finally received your US Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) through the EB-5 program. What happens now? Chances are you’ve spent countless hours researching the EB-5 visa, regional centers, projects, attorneys etc. However, do you know what your rights, obligations, and responsibilities are as a newly arrived Permanent Resident?
EB-5 investors are becoming increasingly aware of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the top U.S. securities regulator, and its involvement in the EB-5 Visa Program. As a result, investors are anxious to learn the connection between the nation’s financial watchdog and the immigration program. Created by the Securities Act of 1934, the SEC was designed to protect investors from fraud by enforcing securities laws requiring complete disclosure of information and regulating the people involved in the securities transactions. Attorneys handling EB-5 Visa clients should be prepared to provide a competent explanation on both immigration and securities issues involved in the EB-5 process. In the past, securities law was considered a specialty area of law reserved for large firms in cities such as New York. However, at present, to practice as an EB-5 attorney, it is important to have at least a minimum understanding of the U.S. securities law.
Does the EB-5 program allow potential immigrants to “cut” to the front of the immigration line? The answer is a definitive, no. Believed by many to be a shortcut to US permanent residency, the EB-5 program is not a line-cutting program. In fact, the US Government sets aside each year, 10,000 visas for EB-5 investors. Of the 10,000 visas, 3,000 are set aside for investments made in Target Employment Areas (TEA).
Perhaps the most important aspect of any EB-5 Petition is the Lawful Source of Funds requirement by USCIS. For apparent reasons, USCIS must ensure that every petitioner has acquired the funds to make their EB-5 investment through lawful means.
Earlier this week the team at Choice Investments attended a business-networking event hosted by the Québec-Florida Chamber of Commerce. At the event, we met local business owners originally from Québec, Canada now doing business in Florida, and in some cases those who still operate a business back home. The Québec – Florida Chamber of Commerce offers local and Québec businesses a unique ability to grow their business both in Florida and Québec.