EB5 Green Card Sample Cases from our office

We assisted our client in filing an E-2 change of status application for treaty investor. USCIS issued an RFE requesting information to determine if petitioner met the general requirements for E-2 Treaty Investor, without specifying in the RFE which specific information was missing. The RFE also requested information about a prior filed EB-5 petition, and questioned whether the client was maintaining current nonimmigrant status. Because the petition submitted included a detailed support letter and ample supporting documentation, we were confident that we had provided sufficient evidence to show that our client met all E-2 requirements. We responded with evidence of our EB-5 filing, including a copy of the FedEx receipt notice indicating the package weight (over 100 lbs.) and photos of the package. The petition was approved.

We were retained by a client who was in USA on B-2 status and wished to apply for green card through EB-5 investor/entrepreneur category. We obtained a B-2 extension and simultaneously filed the EB-5 petition. Client was in the process of investing $1 Million in an existing business. $500,000.00 of the investment was in the form of cash (some portion of which was gift money) and for the remaining $500,000.00, a promissory note was executed and secured by foreign personal assets of client.

Since the business in which the client proposed to invest was already experiencing financial difficulties, we were successfully able to prove that it qualified as a troubled business, i.e., a business that had been in existence for at least two years, and had during the twelve or twenty-four month period prior to the priority date incurred a net loss of at least twenty per cent of the business's net worth prior to such loss.

USCIS initially issued an RFE, mainly raising issues about source of funds. We provided comprehensive tabular explanation along with the appropriate documents to trace the source of funds. One of the challenges was proving source of funds for the money coming from a Joint Family Account. We were able to successfully show that money pooled into “Hindu Undivided Family Fund” properly known as HUF Account, becomes a joint family property, and passes through testamentary succession, therefore as such, our client is the lawful owner of those funds, which her husband left in HUF Account after his death. We provided further evidence that client’s husband had income from lawful business activity, therefore it qualified as ‘lawful investment’ under EB-5 regulations.

USCIS accepted all our arguments and approved EB-5 petition.

We have received two interesting  B-2 extensions.  It has been my view that under certain circumstances  B-2 can and should be permitted by USCIS to be used even where the applicant has an immigrant intent or is otherwise staying longer than usual in USA.  Apparently, USCIS agrees.

In the first case, we were preparing an EB-5 (One Million Dollar investment) for an applicant who was here on a B-2 visa.  So, we disclosed fully to the government that we have immigrant intent, but should not be required to leave because we are in the process of investing.  A forced visit back to home country serves no useful purpose.  USCIS approved the case.

In the second case, we have just received a third B-2 extension for the parent of a green card holder.  The applicant suffers from chronic ailments and needs to be monitored.  Both his sons live in USA (H-1 and green card).  Once again, USCIS approved the case.