TOP IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS
H . RONALD KLASKO Founding Member
Klasko Immigration Law Partners LLP
H
. Ronald Klasko is the founding member at Klasko Immigration Law Partners LLP . His 25-member EB-5 team has represented thousands of investors , over 50 regional centers and numerous U . S . developers in using the EB-5 program to raise capital . Klasko has served five terms as chair of AILA ’ s EB-5 Committee and as a former national president and general counsel of AILA . As chair of the Best Practices Committee of IIUSA , he worked to develop a comprehensive list of EB-5 best practices . Klasko was named the world ’ s most respected corporate immigration lawyer by the International Who ’ s Who of Business Lawyers . He is one of three practicing attorneys honored with the AILA Founders Award for contributions to immigration . He has been included in Best Lawyers in America for over two decades . He was invited by the U . S . House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary to testify on immigration reform and by USCIS and the Department of State to engage in training officers .
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF THE EB-5 INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE ?
The EB-5 industry is changing . With the significant diminished demand from China , EB-5 capital raises will be smaller and the time to raise the capital will be longer . Developing investor sources in other countries will be critical . Redeployment of EB-5 money will create unprecedented challenges and opportunities . Legislation or litigation to increase the authorized number of investors , as well as legislative reforms to increase transparency and investor protections , are important to the long-term viability of the EB-5 program . In addition , USCIS processing times must be reduced to a level that is compatible with the needs of the stakeholders .
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY ?
I gravitated to EB-5 because of the challenge to shape a new immigration program and because EB-5 is a winwin program . My first involvement was in 1991 when I traveled to Asia to present direct investment opportunities to institutions that represented Asian investors . I left EB-5 for several years when the program lost its way , but I have been actively involved for the last decade . The program is a rare example of a government program that serves the purposes of attracting foreign investment , creating jobs and allowing development projects that lacked affordable capital to move forward .
NIMA KORPIVAARA Partner David Hirson & Partners LLP
Nima Korpivaara is a partner at David
Hirson & Partners LLP . Since he joined the practice in 2014 , he handles a variety of U . S . immigration issues , including complex matters associated with corporate business structure and EB-5 investor applications . Korpivaara practices in the fields of corporate ; investor , including E-2 and EB-5 ; and family immigration law , representing large and small clients within a variety of industries . This includes temporary and short-term work visas , business visas and permanent residence , including employment-based and family-based visas , and naturalization . Korpivaara has successfully represented thousands of investors in receiving EB-5 green card approval , as well as dozens of regional centers in successfully receiving designation from USCIS .
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF THE EB-5 INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE ?
I believe the future of the EB-5 industry is strong . While the program was established in the early 1990 ’ s , the program has really only become global in the last 10 years . As with any new program , there have been bumps in the road , but investor knowledge and project adaptation to the market place has been rapid . If USCIS complies with promulgated regulations on current program issues , the EB-5 program will continue to grow .
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY ?
Market trends seem to be a direct result of USCIS adjudicative standards . As we see USCIS become more diligent in denying projects that are not “ shovelready ,” we are seeing a rise in projects that are fully-financed , and under construction prior to ever accepting an EB-5 investor . These projects are highly sought after by investors , as job creation is either ongoing or complete at the time of investment . This eases the investors concern on whether or not the project will create the necessary jobs to secure the green card . While this is a positive for investors , the adjudication standards are in direct contrast to the congressional intent of the program .
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