Congressman Mo Brooks Submits Amendment To Defund Citizenship Buying Program Abused By Chinese

Press Release

Washington, DC-- Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) has filed an amendment to H.R. 4505, the Socialist Democrats' Commerce Justice Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. The amendment would block funding for the EB-5 regional center program, which has been overwhelmingly abused by Chinese nationals to buy American citizenship. Authorization for the program lapsed on June 30, this amendment will ensure the program is unfunded even if Socialist Democrats are successful in reviving the program's authorization.

Congressman Brooks said, "The EB-5 program is fraught with abuse. It is nothing more than a citizenship buying program used overwhelmingly by wealthy and well-connected Chinese nationals. In fact, most qualifying investments end up supporting real estate projects in affluent urban areas, not in economically distressed cities as the program originally intended. This program is one of many U.S. immigration programs that do little to benefit America, and it should be eliminated. American citizenship should not be for sale."

Background:

The EB-5 regional center program provided a method for eligible expedited citizenship for families of alien investors who put up a minimum of $900,000 (the previous minimum was $500,000) in a private-sector investment that has been identified by the Department of Homeland Security. Chinese developers use this program to fund their own building projects in the U.S. and also buy U.S. citizenship. (Seattle Times)

Source