Regional centers are USCIS-approved entities that promote economic growth through foreign investment. They act as intermediaries between EB-5 projects and foreign investors seeking to immigrate to the U.S. Investors favor these projects because they offer flexibility in job creation and promise more safety through transparency and compliance.

In these projects, investors buy equity in a new commercial enterprise (NCE). The NCE then loans funds to or buys equity in a job-creating entity (JCE), which is typically the development project creating EB-5-compliant jobs.

Throughout the EB-5 process, regional centers take on various responsibilities. Among these are controlling the flow of EB-5 funds, managing loans or equity investments, and keeping investors informed with updates. Regional centers also ensure projects comply with offering documents, maintain thorough records, and oversee fund releases from escrow.

If a regional center isn’t independent, there is an increased risk of conflicts of interest between the regional center and the project developer. When selecting EB-5 projects, investors should avoid risky options to ensure their investment is safer and more compliant with regulations.

This article will cover potential conflicts of interest between EB-5 regional centers and developers, providing actionable tips on how EB-5 investors can avoid such conflicts.

Common Conflicts of Interest in EB-5 Investments

Sometimes, regional centers managing EB-5 funds are owned or connected to project developers, and they may even share the same name. This creates a conflict of interest, as the developer would then act as both borrower and lender.

Projects with affiliated regional centers may promise high returns with low risk, but investors should be cautious. Higher returns often mean higher risk. The safest projects usually offer lower returns.

Before selecting a project to invest in, foreign nationals should check for any conflicts of interest, especially between the regional center and developer. While USCIS allows some conflicts in specific cases, these must be disclosed and waived. It’s crucial for investors to have their own legal counsel review any project to evaluate risks before investing.

EB-5 success relies on the investment creating 10 new jobs and meeting other requirements. So, the project’s financial success directly affects the investor’s immigration success. Conflicts of interest prioritizing developers over investors can compromise immigrant petitions, especially if the market weakens.

If a project fails, conflicts of interest between regional centers and developers can severely harm investors. A regional center tied to the developer is likely to favor its own interests over those of EB-5 investors.

When regional centers managing EB-5 funds are independent from project developers, they avoid conflicts of interest. Independent regional centers are more likely to prioritize their EB-5 investors’ interests. For example, an independent regional center may require a developer to sell other assets to repay investors on time. Additionally, they can negotiate on behalf of EB-5 investors to ensure the required job creation occurs, protecting both the financial and immigration outcomes for the investors.

The Impact of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

On March 15, 2022, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) introduced new rules to ensure transparency in managing EB-5 funds. The RIA requires regional centers to prepare annual reports of their EB-5 capital for each NCE and mandates more frequent audits by USCIS.

USCIS can fine non-compliant regional centers, and even terminate them. Regional centers with conflicts of interest are at higher risk of non-compliance, which can directly affect investors.

Finding Safe EB-5 Projects With EB5AN

EB-5 investors should carefully review project documents for any disclosed financial relationships between a project’s regional center and its developer. Financial ties, joint ownership, or affiliations between a project’s regional center and developer create conflicts of interest and should be avoided. It would also be advisable to steer clear of a project if its documents fail to disclose obvious conflicts of interest. On the other hand, investors should look for long-term successful collaborations between independent entities for reduced risk.

EB5AN’s regional centers are completely independent of the developers in charge of our first-rate projects with a 100% USCIS project approval rate to date. With over a decade of experience in the industry, our expert team has helped more than 2,300 families from 60 countries relocate to the United States as lawful permanent residents.

To find out more about how we can help you and your family achieve financial and immigration success through a low-risk EB-5 investment, please book a free call with our team today.