EB-5 VISAS: SELLING CITIZENSHIP?

This article analyzes the EB-5 Investor Visa Program, specifically discussing whether this program could be considered a means of selling of United States citizenship and, conversely, how it may be beneficial to the U.S. economy. This will be done by examining the EB-5 Program requirements and the contributions it has made to the United States. On one hand, the EB-5 Program provides a direct path to citizenship if an immigrant can invest enough money in a U.S. company. On the other hand, the economic benefits that result from the EB-5 program are vast, stimulating the U.S. economy. Conversely, President Trump’s “gold card” proposal is an example of an overt selling of citizenship that only requires a monetary contribution with no job creation requirement, deepening the discourse on the “selling” of U.S. citizenship.