It’s safe to say that there is no place in the world, and certainly no state in America, quite like California—the “Golden State,” as it’s known. I’m speaking from experience—I was born in California and have lived here for most of my life. My work as an immigration attorney has led me to travel both across the United States and across the world, and my travels have given me a fresh perspective on just what makes California unique. In my mind, it’s this: in virtually all aspects—in it’s geography and climate; in it’s economy and population—what sets California apart is its incredible diversity. There is no such thing as an “average Californian.” There are people in California from all over the world, and from all walks of life.

California boasts some of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the world, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA and others. There’s also far more to choose from: nearly 400 colleges, the most of any state.

In their diversity, California’s climate and geography parallel its population.  From the deserts in the South and the snowy mountain ranges in the East to the forests in the North, California includes an amazing array of climate types and geographical features. California is also one of only a small handful of places in the world that have a Mediterranean climate, similar to those countries on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

California has an enormously productive and diverse economy. Though estimates vary, California—if it were a nation of its own—would have one of the 10 largest economies in the world. The state is one of the nation’s leaders in agriculture, producing more fruits, vegetables and dairy than any other state.  California is also known for its wine, which rivals that of Spain, Italy and France in both volume and quality. Of course, it is also the home of Hollywood, the world’s epicenter of film and television. And the high tech “Silicon Valley,” located in Southern California, is the nation’s leading producer of computer hardware and software.

For all its richness, it’s no wonder that aspiring immigrants to the United States regard California as one of the most desirable places to live. The EB-5 visa program can make that dream possible.

There was good news for both foreign entrepreneurs and the US economy in Washington this week. On February 24, 2010, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) introduced The StartUp Visa Act of 2010 to the senate floor. The legislation will create jobs, increase investment in the economy, and attract immigrant entrepreneurs to the US, giving the US an advantage in the global economy.

The new legislation would add a new category to current immigration law under the EB-5 category, creating a new EB-6 category for entrepreneurs. Currently, the EB-5 law is set up to attract foreign investors by granting them a green card after they invest at least $1 million in the economy and thereby create ten jobs. The proposed EB-6 category will grant immigrant entrepreneurs a two-year visa if they can show that a qualified US investor is willing to invest at least $250, 000 in the immigrant’s startup venture. If, after two years, the immigrant can show that he or she has generated at least five jobs in the US, attracted $1 million in additional capital, or achieved $1 million in revenue, then he or she will be granted permanent legal resident status.   

This new legislation is a win-win situation for both foreign entrepreneurs and the US economy. In this crucial time of growth and recovery, I can see no downside to encouraging investment in the US economy. This is why I am joining Senators Kerry and Lugar in their support of the StartUp Visa Act of 2010.

Step 1 – Schedule a consultation with Vaughan de Kirby. 

Finding a qualified immigration investment attorney is paramount. The EB-5 program is one of the most complex areas of immigration law, and one that requires real expertise. Let’s say that you decide to contact my law firm to schedule a consultation. In our consultation, we will meet and review in detail the legal requirements of the EB-5 visa and discuss the possibility of applying for an investor Green Card. We will review your personal immigration needs to make certain that the EB-5 visa is both a viable option and indeed the best vehicle to reach your personal immigration goals, for yourself and your family. My law firm understands how important this decision is, and we are committed to equipping you with the knowledge to make the most informed decision possible. Because my firm is committed to ensuring that all our clients are well informed, we charge no fee for this consultation.