Spending Bill Extends EB-5 Investor Visa Program to September 30; No Funding for Wall

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, passed by Congress and signed May 7, extends the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program through September 30, 2017. The legislation also provides a large border-security funding increase, among other things.

The spending bill was also notable for what it didn’t contain. For example, the bill did not include funding to begin construction of the border wall promised by President Trump.

Some observers believe that before that date, legislation could be enacted to change the EB-5 program, such as by raising the minimum investment amount, which currently is $900,000 in rural and high unemployment areas and $1.8 million elsewhere. The EB-5 program has received a lot of attention recently because of a particular EB-5 project in New Jersey being promoted by the Kushner Company. Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and a senior advisor to the President, stepped down as chief executive of the Kushner Company in January and has sold stakes in several properties to help allay concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

• A statement by President Trump on signing the legislation 
• New York Timer Article