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
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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.