a priority for the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS, and we are working diligently on reforms through the formal rulemaking process. USCIS encourages interested parties to provide comments during the public comment period to any proposed rules.
EB5 Investors Magazine: If the EB-5 program were to sunset, what would potentially happen to investors currently in the process?
Rodriguez: As you know, the EB-5 program as a whole is continuing law, but the regional center program is scheduled to sunset on Sept. 30, 2016. USCIS is closely monitoring any developments in Congress on this question and, if necessary, will provide appropriate guidance to the public regarding any sunset.
EB5 Investors Magazine: How do you see EB-5 expanding or receding in the coming years?
Rodriguez: The EB-5 program has seen unprecedented growth in recent years. While only 16 regional centers existed in 2007, there were 861 approved regional centers as of Sept. 6, 2016. Similarly, the number of visas issued to investors and their dependents increased from 1,360 in fiscal 2008 to 10,692 in fiscal 2014.
Despite the growth in popularity of the program in recent years, however, it’ s impossible to forecast whether the number of applications and petitions will continue to stay at current levels or increase due to the number of contributing factors outside the agency’ s control.
EB5 Investors Magazine: What is your agency doing to educate Americans in how EB-5 helps the country?
Rodriguez: There are two main ways IPO provides information to the public about the EB-5 program. The first is publishing information on our website, and the second is through in-person and teleconference engagements.
IPO also actively works with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations to provide information about the program.
Website: IPO uses our website( www. uscis. gov / eb-5) to promote awareness and educate the public about the EB-5 program. IPO has published detailed information on program policy, regulatory information, program updates, and links to EB-5 resources on our website. IPO has also expanded its online information to include lists of regional centers by state and answers to frequently asked questions. IPO also posted a page about the EB-5 program translated into Mandarin Chinese.
Engagements: In the past two years, IPO has held more than 30 national and local public engagements. Each engagement averages 730 participants, including participation either by telephone or in person.
“ USCIS has built a strong foundation that supports its administration of the EB-5 program as it fulfills Congress’ intent to stimulate the U. S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors, while safeguarding national security and program integrity.”
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EB5 INVESTORS MAGAZINE