EB5 Investors Magazine Volume 5, Issue 2 | Page 65

TOP IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS
CHRISTIAN TRIANTAPHYLLIS
Attorney Foster LLP

Christian Triantaphyllis is an attorney and

EB-5 section lead with Foster LLP , a fullservice immigration law firm headquartered in Houston , Texas . The focus of his practice is on business immigration matters , particularly those related to EB-5 investments . Triantaphyllis represents foreign nationals in the preparation and filing of EB-5 cases and advises on lawful sources of investment funds . He advises businesses on establishing EB-5 projects throughout the United States and provides analysis from an immigration law perspective on funding structures . Triantaphyllis also represents clients to acquire legal status for professional employees , investors under U . S . treaties and other visa options . Triantaphyllis is a member of AILA , has authored a number of articles on the EB-5 program and is a frequent speaker on immigration issues . Triantaphyllis earned his J . D . from New York Law School and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southern Methodist University .
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF THE EB-5 INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE ?
I think the future of the EB-5 program is one that will require an increased focus on oversight and compliance measures for regional centers and project developers . Regardless of the increased investment amount and types of projects that qualify under TEA rules , USCIS will increasingly monitor each regional center ’ s ability to manage funds responsibly and maintain up to date records for each of its projects . USCIS has already begun to carry out this theme in its adjudication process and I anticipate that new regulations will not only codify what is already in practice , but will also increase compliance measures .
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY ?
While there are a number of trends in the EB-5 industry , a specific trend of note is the increased awareness of the EB-5 program both by foreign investors around the world , and by project developers in the United States . I am currently working with foreign investors from more countries than ever before , which demonstrates to me the globalization of the EB-5 program . I am also constantly working with businesses in the United States to develop creative strategies to blend EB-5 funding with private investment opportunities , as EB-5 investors are increasingly interested in both forms of investment .
CLETUS M . WEBER Partner Peng & Weber PLLC

Cletus M . Weber is a partner at Peng & Weber

PLLC , a Seattle-based immigration law firm internationally recognized in EB-5 and other U . S . immigration law . He represents EB-5 regional centers , projects and investors in all facets of EB-5 . Weber serves on the Board of Directors of IIUSA and previously served on AILA ’ s national EB-5 Committee . Weber is editor-in-chief of The EB-5 Handbook :
A Guide for Investors and Developers ( EB5investors . com 2014 ); senior editor of Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs , 3d . Ed . ( AILA 2014 ); and invited reviewer of the EB-5 section of Kurzban ’ s Immigration Law Sourcebook , 14th & 15th Eds . ( AIC 2014 & 2016 ). He is also listed in Who ’ s Who Legal : Corporate Immigration ( 2016-2018 ).
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE OF THE EB-5 INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE ?
The EB-5 industry faces painful backlogs for China-born investors , by far the world ’ s largest market . Inevitable setasides will create strong , geographically or industrially focused demand for a year or so , followed by a return to backlogs when the set-aside lines become similarly backlogged . Eventually , Congress will return EB-5 to its roots as a powerful tool for creating jobs for U . S . workers by significantly increasing the number of EB-5 visas available . Also critical will be steps congress takes to protect good faith investors who unfortunately find themselves in failed projects .
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY ?
EB-5 is complex , multidisciplinary , interesting and challenging . It resides at the intersection of my lifelong interests in law , business , politics , entrepreneurialism , real estate , construction , economics , finance , teamwork , world travel , culture and language . EB-5 is a natural place for me after having earned my way through business school and law school by working in construction and interning at the Securities and Exchange Commission , having previously practiced corporate and real estate law and having taught myself basic Chinese . I love the success stories of investors . I also enjoy the teamwork inherent in project-related work for regional centers and developers .
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