Every new administration brings the potential for change. New ideas, fresh perspective, and the promise of progress on issues most important to the American people. For those of us in the EB-5 industry, the beginning of the Trump presidency is a period of particular importance. President Trump’s relentless commitment to evolving the approach to immigration across a multitude of dimensions made change inevitable.
The recent proposal put forward by the Trump administration for what has been referred to as the “Gold Card” represents a significant inflection point. This proposal presents an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, to join forces with the new administration on our shared mission of improving our immigration pathways, policies, and regulations. Suddenly, the topic of further improvements to the EB-5 program that we have relentlessly advocated for are at the forefront of the national conversation.
While the specifics of the Gold Card proposal are still emerging, the announcement has already sparked important and, frankly, exciting conversations about how we can make the EB-5 program more impactful, transparent, and beneficial for America, in the spirit of what the Trump Administration is aiming to achieve. The underlying principle of the Gold Card, a path to permanent residency for those that go through proper vetting in exchange for investing in America, is fundamentally aligned with the purpose of the EB-5 program that was enacted by Congress in the 90’s and further improved by the Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
At CMB Regional Centers, we have been advocating for continuous, meaningful change in the EB-5 industry for nearly 30 years. Our priority is the success of our investors, but our responsibility is to shape the future of the immigration-by-investment programs. Far from daunted, we are excited for this opportunity to work with policymakers to refine and improve EB-5. We hope EB-5 remains a vital jobs creation vehicle for the U.S. economy in the years to come.
Change is not inherently sensational. In this case, it can be synonymous with progress. As we move forward, I hope that industry leaders and policymakers collectively see this moment for what it is: an opportunity for constructive dialogue and collaboration in pursuit of our shared goals.
Noreen Hogan
President, CMB Regional Centers
