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Proposed immigration office raises concerns in Iowa
Some Iowa residents have expressed their displeasure to the fact that there are plans to build an immigration office with holding cells in their neighborhood.
A number of residents of Urbandale, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines, have said they are upset at reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has rented space in a warehouse for the proposed project, according to the Associated Press.
Susan Larsen, who lives near the site of the proposed office, near the Days Run neighborhood, said that the location selected for a facility with holding cells is inappropriate because it is too close to schools and athletic fields.
Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg told the news source that the public's opinion would be considered when the final decision on the facilities location is ultimately made.
According to the news source, local ICE operations are currently housed in Des Moines' federal building.
Regardless of the ultimate location of the new office, foreign nationals can obtain U.S. green card eligibility by participating in the EB-5 visa program. Under the program, if a foreigner invests $1 million (or in some areas $500,000) in an American business and that investment creates or preserves 10 jobs, the investor and his family become green card eligible.