eb5exclusive

With the comprehensive healthcare bill finally approved by both Houses of Congress and signed by President Obama, lawmakers will be turning their attention to other pieces of legislation, such as immigration reform.

Last week, New York’s Democratic Senator Charles Schumer and South Carolina’s Republican Senator Lindsey Graham co-wrote an op-ed to the Washington Post, explaining their stance on the future of immigration on the country.

The piece mostly focused on the question of illegal immigration, border security and a legalization processes for immigrants already in the country.

However, the lawmakers noted how these and other immigration policies could have an effect on the country’s economic prosperity.

Referencing a proposal to amend the EB-5 visa program, the Senators wrote, “Our legislation would award green cards to immigrants who receive a PhD or master’s degree in science, technology, engineering or math from a U.S. university.”

They continue, “It makes no sense to educate the world’s future inventors and entrepreneurs and then force them to leave when they are able to contribute to our economy.”

Currently, the EB-5 visa program gives foreign investors a route to U.S. residency by extending capital to an American business. The new proposal seeks to cover entrepreneurs, as well.