EB-5 Primer: Understanding the Tax Consequences of U.S. Residency

The accents are for the most part different these days, but the issues are the same: wealthy entrepreneurs from troubled nations writing and calling me as they scramble to relocate their hard–earned assets before corrupt politicians steal what is not theirs.  Twenty years ago the financial exodus was occurring in Brazil, Russia, and the UK.  These days, it’s more than likely a client in China, Vietnam, or a Venezuelan finally pulling the trigger after years of sitting on the fence.   (I should also note that the past month did trigger a fresh round of inquiries from Russians with fast–disappearing assets in Cypriot banks.)  Soon, I believe, as the true measure of the Euro zone crisis becomes impossible to whitewash, a new exodus of European cash will be next. As a U.S. Atty.,…

Jose Latour Wins ALM International Law Recognition

Those of you who have known me over the years know that in the past decade my law practice focus has gradually shifted from a comparatively tame investment-based U.S. immigration focus toward a rather complicated, frequent-flyer-mile-racking, odd fusion of: 1) EB-5 project structuring for private and public U.S. clients; 2) International asset management for high net worth foreign clients; 3) Analytics and sourcing of public funds/grants for U.S. projects and; 4) Private equity sourcing and international joint venture structuring. It has become increasingly difficult to describe “what I do” succinctly (as if I could ever do anything “succinctly”…(-:) But fortunately for me, the good folks who publish Corporate Counsel and The American Lawyermagazines have managed to squeeze this…

The Inexcusable I-526 Limbo

When even a Senator can’t get the Director of USCIS to “unstick” inexcusable I-526 adjudication delays, it’s time to write the White House.  Let’s see if Mr. Obama is serious about his “Invest in America” agenda…or whether USCIS inaction will lead to an exodus of EB-5 investment capital and ghosts of jobs that never were… Dear Mr. President: I am a former Reagan FSO who has practiced investment immigration law for over 20 years.  I am also co-owner of American Venture Solutions Regional Center, a USCIS-approved EB-5 Regional Center in Florida, the only EB-5 Regional Center owned & managed by a Forbes 400 group.  The EB-5 program has been the most successful foreign direct investment (FDI) initiative in the history of the U.S.  Unfortunately, USCIS delays are costing local com…