Bank statements are among the most important documents in an EB-5 case because they do more than show that an investor earned or received the relevant investment funds. For EB-5 purposes, USCIS is not only interested in whether funds were lawfully obtained, but also in the path those funds took to reach the EB-5 project....
Jacqueline Trevino
Jan62026
The Gold Card program is a newly announced U.S. immigration initiative created by the Trump administration through Executive Order #14351. The program is described to establish a pathway to permanent residency, allowing foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent resident (LPR) status—and potentially U.S. citizenship—by making a substantial financial gift to the United States Department of...
On November 17, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Division of Examinations (the “Division”) released its fiscal year 2026 examination priorities (the “Report”) reflecting practices, products and services the Division believes present potentially heightened risks to investors or integrity to the U.S. capital markets. These priorities continue 2025’s focus on fiduciary standards of conduct,...
Dec122025
USCIS announced on December 4, 2025, that certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will now have shorter validity periods for both initial and renewal applications, affecting many individuals seeking or extending work authorization in the U.S. USCIS explained that the purpose of these changes is to ensure more frequent vetting, deter fraud, and identify applicants who...
USCIS has reinstated EB-5 filing fees to the pre-April 1, 2024 amounts. This change follows a federal court decision invalidating the April 2024 fee rule after finding that USCIS implemented the increases without following required legal procedures. As a result, EB-5 investors, regional centers, and project developers will currently benefit from significantly lower filing costs....
Stock sales are a common source of funds for EB-5 investments. But not all stocks are the same. Understanding the differences between self-purchased and employer-issued stock (such as RSUs, stock options, or ESPP) is essential for building a strong and approvable EB-5 case. Self-Purchased Shares: Stocks purchased directly by the investor through a brokerage account...
A new U.S. visa program backed by President Donald Trump is expected to launch in the coming days. Known as the “Gold Card” visa, the program is expected to offer a pathway to permanent residency, and possibly even U.S. citizenship, for foreign investors willing to invest at least $5 million into the U.S. economy. President...
A core principle of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is that all investment funds must have a lawful origin. The source of an EB-5 investor’s funds must be clearly documented and legally obtained. The program allows for various ways to finance the required $800,000 investment, including using loaned funds from sources such as a bank,...