EB-5 visas ,legal US permanent residency fast track program

As reported by the Washington Post's Staff Writer N.C. Aizenman Sunday on January 10, 2010 ,under the EB-5 visa program" immigrants who can demonstrate that their investment created or preserved at least 10 U.S. jobs after two years are granted legal permanent residency along with their spouses and children "

However ! The article goes on to mention a loophole in the plan that was created to increase investment in the USA the article further states

"lthough immigrants are allowed to establish businesses under the program, most prefer to invest in "regional centers" -- public or private enterprises that are certified by the government to receive funds from EB-5 investors and that can count jobs indirectly created by the investment toward the 10 required.The minimum outlay mandated is $1 million, but immigrants can reduce that to $500,000 by investing in a regional center or establishing businesses in areas designated as economically disadvantaged. "

The article goes on to describe the extent of people taking advantage of this fast track program !

"In a matter of months, more than 50 private and public enterprises were certified as regional centers, increasing the total from 23 to 74. Three are in the Washington area.
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With so many more investment opportunities to choose from, the number of immigrants (including investors and their immediate family members) who obtained EB-5 visas jumped from 1,443 in fiscal 2008 to 4,218 in the 2009 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to the State Department. "