TOP IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS
IRINA ROSTOVA Founding Partner
Rostova Westerman Law Group PA
Irina Rostova is a founding partner at Rostova
Westerman Law Group with a background in bank management and commercial litigation. She became an immigration attorney out of her passion for the EB-5 program, believing that for many it presents a more assured way to permanent residency than other business visa options. Rostova understands the financial principals necessary to successfully navigate the program and currently oversees hundreds of in-progress EB-5 petitions, an exposure which allows her to be at the forefront of new adjudication trends in the EB-5 program. Rostova represents investors from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia. She serves as a co-chair of the Investor Markets Committee at IIUSA and is passionate about developing the EB-5 market in Russia and Eastern Europe. Her efforts have made her a principal attorney in that region, currently representing an estimated 20 percent of all Russian EB-5 investors.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF THE EB-5 INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE?
It is important to implement financial regulations to protect investors as well as the integrity and the purpose of the program. Third party audits and financial transparency are a must in order to channel EB-5 investments toward solid projects. Personally, I believe TEA designations are less important than giving a preference to industrial and social infrastructure projects, such as manufacturing facilities, schools, hospitals and others.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
We are beginning to see a diversification in the origin of investors. As the EB-5 program becomes known around the world, the focus is gradually shifting from mainland China to Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. While China will continue to be an important player in EB-5; India, Vietnam and Taiwan are the next big Asian markets. Keep an eye for Turkey, France, Italy and Russia in the European / Eastern European regions. Brazil and Venezuela will dominate in Latin America and Nigeria stands out in Africa. Dubai will continue to be a center for investors from the Middle East.
MONA SHAH Founder & Lead Attorney
Mona Shah & Associates( MSA Global)
Mona Shah is the founder and lead attorney at Mona Shah & Associates( MSA Global). Shah, who was born in the U. K., is a dual licensed attorney and she was formerly a government prosecutor with the British Crown Prosecution Service. Shah also has extensive knowledge of all facets of U. S. immigration law with her expertise ranging from specialist business law to complicated, multi-issue federal deportation litigation before the U. S. Courts of Appeal. Shah has received many accolades for her work, including Top Lawyer by Who’ s Who International and Top Attorney of North America. She is an adjunct professor at Baruch College, CUNY University, and has authored numerous articles, published a book for investors and is a recommended author with Lexis Practice Advisor. Shah is a frequent speaker and has been interviewed by well reputable media groups. She also hosts a podcast series and has recorded over 50 episodes with different industry specialists.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
One of the most obvious trends has been the shift in the focus of markets: with a pivot away from China towards countries in Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East and North Africa region. There is certainly a heightened awareness of the program and a notable increase in available information, which is a sharp contrast from only a few years ago. I also do believe that as the minimum investment amount increases, there will be an increase in pooled direct and entrepreneur petitions.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
I have practiced immigration law for around 21 years, and my experience includes complex immigration litigation as well as business immigration. I was involved with EB-5 stakeholders long before the program’ s surge in popularity, and the EB-5 realm continues to be an exciting, dynamic area of law. It embodies a wide range of specialized knowledge: from business, immigration and securities law to international marketing and country conditions. I possess a good understanding of the core underlying areas and I have a flair for marketing – making EB-5 a natural fit for me.
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