eb5exclusive

The vast majority of parties interested in the EB-5 visa program have been Chinese or South Korean immigrants, intent on being ushered through an expedited green card process, in exchange for an investment of at least $500,000 in an American business.

While economically depressed areas are commonly targets for these Asian investors, a new wave of investment has been directed for El Paso, Texas, by a new wave of parties interested in the EB-5 visa: residents of Mexico.

According to Ana Gonzalez, of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the agency advised more than 200 Mexicans on starting business operations in El Paso last year, the El Paso Times reports.

The use of the EB-5 visa to move to the U.S. seems to be a maneuver to escape the violence, which has become prevalent in cities like Juarez.

Last year, El Paso had 12 murders, compared to the 2,643 that occurred in Juarez, says the news source. Additionally, Juarez saw more than 110,000 houses abandoned, 75,000 job losses and the closure of more than 10,000 businesses.

Under the EB-5 visa program, Mexican financiers are able to receive permanent resident status in the U.S. in exchange at least a $500,000 investment in an American business that creates 10 or more jobs.