“As I said, FINS is diverse,” Santos then began. “We create vehicles—these specialized instruments known as funds—that invest in everything from oil and gas to cruise lines, resorts, restaurant chains, and much more.
“Some domestic money is there, but it’s tight. There is, however, significant foreign money out there. For OneWorld, Asian investments right now are biggest, followed by Central and South American monies. Accordingly, that’s where the EB-5 monies originate.”
The what? “EB-5 Central and South American monies”?
So much for talking like them.
“EB-5?” Badde said. “Didn’t you say you have one yourself, Mike?
Santos nodded. “Yes, as you know, the EB-5 is a visa designed for immigrants of serious means. It’s nothing like the well-known specialty occupation H-1B and -2 visas, which the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service also administers.”
Well, now I know.
And you don’t know that I didn’t.
“For starters,” Garcia said, “while there’re only ten thousand EB-5s available each year, the U.S. has never issued the entire lot of them. Compare that to ‘specialty occupation’ visas. Those are gone by mid-year, and they run in the six figures.”
“The H-1B and -2,” Badde said.
“Right,” Garcia said. “H-1Bs are architects, doctors, engineers, university professors, all sorts of computer types—hell, even fashion models. Their stay is only good for three years, with a three-year renewal. So, six tops. And if they quit their sponsoring employer, or get fired, they have to find another or leave the U.S.”
“Not that they always do,” Santos added. “Plenty overstay their visas illegally. But then if found, they can be deported. Same with H-2B visas, the seasonal jobs, like agriculture.”
“But not EB-5. It’s golden,” Garcia said, then smiled. “No pun intended.”
“You said ‘serious means,’” Badde said. “How much we talking?”
“Each EB-5 requires at least a million dollars,” Garcia said.
Badde nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s the other main difference,” Santos said. “You cannot buy an H-1B or -2. But, as long as you meet the requirements, a foreigner can buy as many EB-5s as he can afford.”
“Up to ten thousand,” Badde said, a little loudly.
He grinned, then took a long drink of his whisky.
Santos and Garcia chuckled, then exchanged a brief knowing glance.
Garcia drained his drink, and Santos discreetly motioned for the waitress’s attention. Badde saw her look over, then smile and nod. She started toward them, carrying fresh drinks.
Now, that’s service!
She was keeping an eye on us, and didn’t even have to be told to have the bartender pour us another round.
“For the million dollars,” Garcia said, as the waitress put the drinks before them, “the investor gets fast-tracked to permanent residency—a green card for himself, for his wife, and for his kids under twenty-one. In order to keep that status, the investment must create and maintain at least ten jobs for existing Americans, plus ones for himself and his family. These can be directly and indirectly created. For example, a hotel creates direct jobs—from the front desk to the restaurant staffs to housekeepers—as well as indirect ones—vendors who wash the sheets and towels, landscapers, valets. It’s not hard to do.”
“And it’s extremely lucrative,” Santos said.
“How so?” Badde said.
“These foreign investors mostly want to become permanent residents,” Santos explained. “That’s their focus. So while a typical investor would expect seven, eight, even ten percent return on investment, these immigrants are content with, say, two percent. Additionally, if you’re the one borrowing the money, you’re paying less interest, so your profits are higher.”
“That’s damn cheap capital, Rapp,” Garcia said. “And it’s capital that may have left the country and now has an avenue back to create opportunity here.” He made a sweeping gesture around the lounge with his hand. “You’re sitting in an example.”
“How do you mean?” Badde said.
“Yellowrose is one of four significant companies in the hospitality market owned by China Global Investments. We packaged Yellowrose, then sold it to them and continue to help them expand it.”