EB5 Investors Magazine English Edition Volume 6, Issue 2 | Page 40

TOP IMMIGRATION AT TORNEYS CHRISTIAN TRIANTAPHYLLIS JACKSON WALKER LLP | PARTNER C h r i s t i a n Tr i a n t a p h y l l i s focuses his practice on business immigration mat ters, par ticularly those related to EB-5 investments. Tr i a n t a p h y l l i s r e p r e s e n t s foreign nationals in the filing of EB-5 cases and advises on lawful sources of investment funds. He also advises businesses on establishing EB-5 projects and setting up EB-5 funding structures. Triantaphyllis represents clients to acquire work authorization for professional employees and other visa options. Triantaphyllis has authored a number of articles and is a frequent speaker on the EB-5 program. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School and received his B.A. in political science from Southern Methodist University. WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY? Over the last year a significant amount of education and awareness about the EB-5 program was spread into new and already existing investor markets. With this increase in education and awareness, different types of EB-5 investors have entered EB-5 program who are focused on project- specific characteristics, such as the I-924 exemplar, opportunities for higher investment returns, timing of the exit strategy and redeployment of investment funds, as well as an increased interest in alternative investment options other than the EB-5 program. WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY? I got involved in the EB-5 industry because of my background as an immigration attorney coupled with previously working in the corporate lending section of a law firm. I gravitated toward EB-5 work early on in my career because I was familiar with the types of contracts and funding structures involved with financing various types of projects, and so EB-5 was a natural fit that I wanted to be involved with because it creates jobs in the U.S. I also enjoy working with and getting to know people from around the world as they pursue a life in the U.S. ROHIT TURKHUD FAKHOURY GLOBAL IMMIGRATION | PARTNER R o h i t Tu r k h u d h a s b e e n practicing the U.S. immigration and nationali t y laws sinc e 19 8 5 . S i n c e 19 9 4 h e h a s specialized in employment- based immigration. From 1994 to 2001, Turkhud served in senior executive positions at IT companies. From June 2004 to September 2012, he was a partner at an immigration law firm. Turkhud joined FLG in September 2012 as a partner, and is a member of an ever- increasing global team. Turkhud has been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1985. He is a frequent speaker on business immigration issues and conferences. WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY? The EB-5 industry has come a long way from its early days in the 1990s. The amounts of minimum investment have not changed since 1990 or 1992, but little else remains the same. China is no longer the mecca for finding EB-5 40 EB5 INVESTORS M AGAZINE investors. India and Vietnam may be the new China. The USCIS continues to rule the EB-5 world through its memos and attending fiats. The consulates, on occasion, are re- adjudicating approved petitions to the confusion and detriment of the investors. Change will continue. Change is good, most times. Change is inevitable. Change reflects new trends. WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY? EB-5 offers migrants one of the best options to migrate without a dependency on employers or relatives. One injects a substantial money into the U.S. economy, creates jobs for U.S. workers, and gets the green card in possibly the fastest way for an India-born immigrant. Hopefully, they get the invested capital back. EB-5 offers me a singularly unique opportunity to leverage my Indian background, culture, heritage and the ability to speak multiple Indian languages. I bring my experience since 1985 in U.S. immigration laws. In this very dynamic practice, one is constantly learning about new people, places, regulations and opportunities.