Immigration Lawyer Darren Silver Explains How the EB5 investor Visa Provides a Diamond

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 26, 2010

The EB-5 Visa Investment immigration Program allows for an expedited and streamlined path for U.S Permanent Residency for foreign nationals investors. In turn, the U.S receives an infusion of $1million or $500,000 (certain locations) per Investor. In addition, and greatly more important in today’s economy, the Investor or his/her Business receiving the investment must show a creation of 10 new U.S jobs.

As a brief history, the Federal Government created the EB-5 Visa in 1991 so as to encourage foreigners to invest in the U.S. The program required an investor to invest $1million or $500,000 in certain locations into a business in the USA that would create 10 full time jobs paying at least the minimum wage. Once done, the investor and his or her family would be entitled permanent residence in the USA, "Green Card." In 1993, the predecessor to the USCIS provided to potential immigrants a second option within the EB5 program, entitled, Regional Center Pilot Program. In this new configuration of EB-5, the investor would invest into a pre-existing fund, or Management Company or Business as approved by the U.S. government. These Regional Centers are typically diversified funds or private Business development projects that allow for an investor to infuse a set investment and in return acquire a small ownership interest. The Regional Centers must utilize this foreign infused investment to create 10 U.S direct or indirect jobs.

In 2004, the program was reorganized to allow for many levels of protection for the investors. The program was classified as a "pilot" program and has been extend by Congress continuously every 3 years.

The numbers of approved Immigrant Petitions under the EB-5 program have been consistent over the last year, ranging from 400 to 600 applications annually. However, 2009 saw a dramatic increase in EB-5 petitions.

Specifically, in 2007, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved 473 petitions for foreign investors. That figure rose to 640 in 2008, and jumped to 1,256 in 2009.

Since October 2006, U.S. companies have raised more than $1 billion and have created over 20,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) through EB-5. The number of Certified Regional Centers has risen steadily from 27 in 2008 to 80 in 2009 and it is predicted that the number will well surpass 100 by the December 2010.

Mr. Darren Silver, a prominent Immigration Lawyer in the field, whose Firm Darren Silver and Associates specializes in EB-5/Regional Center Immigration is cautiously optimistic about the upswing in both new EB-5 applications and new Regional Center Certifications.
Mr. Silver reasons that in light of the unpredictable Economic forecast, the EB- 5 Regional Center investment program gives investors a safe and secure option for permanent residency. Mr. Silver is however concerned as to the number of Regional Centers that have been approved in the past year. He warns that a few bad Centers can unjustifiably tarnish the entire project. He cautions that investors must be careful when selecting a Regional Center.

Mr. Silver can be contacted directly through his website Darren Silver & Associates which is one of the Nations' preeminent Immigration Law Firms with a focus on Investment Immigration law.
Darren Silver & Associates
3699 Wilshire Blvd. 6th Floor
Los Angeles CA 90010
213-384-1900 (tel)
213-384-8285 (fax)
info(at)darrensilver(dot)com (E-mail)