Posted on 08/05/2014 3:02:34 PM PDT by Theoria
Whether you’re a skilled technology worker or a poor laborer, it’s getting harder to become a U.S. citizen. But for those with $500,000 to buy their way in, it’s a different matter. That’s just the beginning of the problem.
On Nov. 15, 2012, about 100 people gathered in a parking lot near O’Hare Airport in Chicago for a ceremonial occasion: the demolition of a fleabag motel to make way for what was intended to be a world-changing construction project. Next door to a Hooters restaurant, just off the Kennedy Expressway, was to rise a commercial and environmental wonder—the “World’s First Zero Carbon Platinum LEED-certified and 100% Allergen Free convention center and hotel complex.” Lest anyone doubt its global eco-import, the project’s developer was branding it as a “Kyoto Protocol Centre.” At a projected cost of $913 million, it was to include three connected towers—14, 17, and 19 stories tall—containing five upscale hotels with 995 suites and rooms, four levels of convention space, a green roof with a spa and yoga studio, a miniature golf course, and a 1,720-car “automatic robotic” parking garage. All this would be financed with the help of a government immigration program known as EB-5, which allows wealthy foreigners to obtain U.S. citizenship by sinking $500,000 apiece into a venture that creates American jobs. Spellbound by the sales pitch—which included “guarantees” that the project would deliver visas and juicy returns—nearly 300 eager Chinese investors had anted up a total of $147 million.
Now construction was finally about to begin—or so Anshoo Sethi had told everyone. Sethi was the project’s mastermind, a slender, soft-spoken young man with a grandiose vision. Nattily dressed as usual, in a cream-colored suit with a lavender tie and pocket square, Sethi presided over the proceedings in a white tent festooned with balloons.
(Excerpt) Read more at fortune.com ...
From the law’s inception in 1990, selling potential citizenship to the rich struck many as a corruption of American ideals. “Have we no self-respect as a nation?” asked Texas congressman John Bryant on the House floor that year. “Are we so broke we have to sell our birthright?”
How much to become a citizen of Nauru or Tuvalu?
LOL. who needs to do that?
No, apparently we are so "rich" that we are giving away our birthright for free now! Most developed countries only wish to encourage immigrants who will not burden their social welfare systems.
One example is Canada. Want to move to Canada?
An advantage of applying as an investor is that you will receive permanent residency without any conditions attached. You don't have to establish your business or maintain it. In other words, an investor can "retire" in Canada as long as having made an investment of $400,000 (CAD). However it requires you to have at least $800,000 (CAN). If you have less than $800,000 (CAN) but at least $300,000 (CAN) and plan to manage your business or partnership, apply as an entrepreneur.
bump
People who come here to work at real jobs and contribute to our society. Not needed for those doing cash only manual labor or welfare riders.
Superb article! Really well written. Thanks for posting.
Actually, many nation/states offer ‘citizenship by investment’. The going rate is $500,000 in most places. Sometimes the money goes into a specific account, and other times it goes into the pocket of an official. Depends on the country and the number of passports issued, as I understand it. The US didn’t use this method until 1990, so blame Daddy Bush. The place I first heard of this was St. Kitts & Nevis. I’m pretty sure they use the “pocket of an official” method there. You get a passport that works throughout the EU visa free and most other places with a visa.
We visited there in the spring. The cruise ship comedian had a good line..."St. Kitts? that's Caribbean for ghetto"
What foolish person who is NOT a US citizen would want to become one. You can sneak in the border illegally, qualify for every welfare program, get ID, vote, and use fraudulent ID to vote. Heck, you most likely won’t even have to file a tax return.
Only a chump would go through the hassle of trying the legal way. US Citizens are second class citizens only good for funding the goodies to the gimmedats.
In Chicago. I knew it.
Across the expressway from this proposed site is the hotel that O.J. Simpson stayed when he flew to Chicago after murdering his wife.
Good post. Yes, our current business, political and academic leadership will do anything for a buck and anything to spite or rob their own American neighbors.
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BACKSTORY
EB-5's are said to involve major threats to US national security. In an earlier statement----citing a Homeland Security Investigations memo----Sen Charles Grassley said the oversight federal agency ICE identified key vulnerabilities in EB-5 visas:
1) Export of sensitive technology/economic espionage.
2) Use by foreign government agents/espionage.
3) Use by terrorists.
4) Investment fraud by regional center.
5) Investment fraud by investors.
6) Fraud conspiracies by investors and regional center.
7) Illicit finance/money laundering.
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Obama is facilitating this---he appointed Leon Rodriguez to administer EB-5 visas as head of UCIS (A DHS agency).....
Rubber-stamper Leon Rodriguez also oversee the legitimization of the hordes coming from Central America (as well as 144 countries) illegally crossing our southern border).
Rodriguez's confirmation hearings revealed a gross conflict of interest---he was a board member of Casa Maryland---a latino-centric advocacy group---pushing for unlimited immigration, and has connections to nationwide immigrant groups.
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ACTION--CONTACT FBI TIPS PAGE WEB SITE---YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS---https://tips.fbi.gov
<><> Taxpayers demand Leon Rodriguez, UCIS, the EB-5 program be investigated. L/S should subpoena official UCIS filings, phone records, emails, snail mail copies, hard drives, bank accounts, checking accounts, credit cards, debit cards, wire transfers, social media contacts, and the like.
<><> Taxpayers demand to know if govt factotums like Rodriguez, are consorting with organizations advocating the overthrow of the US govt.
<><> TAXPAYERS demand to know who Rodriguez is communicating with, and who is directing his activities.
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