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Immigration attorney pitches EB-5 visa program to Portland officials
A Seattle immigration attorney who has helped Seattle businesses gain more than $100 million in investment from the federal EB-5 visa program, has pitched the idea of using the immigration program to officials in Portland, Oregon.
Henry Liebman, who heads the firm American Life Incorporated, last year spoke with officials at the Portland Development Commission (PDC) to argue for Portland as a candidate for EB-5 investments, the Portland Business Journal reports.
“PDC apparently believes they should be the applicant” Tony Williams, an American Life spokesman, told the news source.
He added, “It seems like it’s always best, though, to partner with a developer who’s going to fly around the world and find investors, someone who knows the business.”
Portland officials have also contacted Greenpath Funding Solutions, an EB-5 specialist that offered to connect the PDC with potential foreign investors.
The commission is looking to develop the new Eastside streetcar route and the Airport Way corridor.
Overall, the program has brought in more than $1.2 billion in investments since 2000, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.