FirstPathway Weblog

FirstPathway Partners (FPP) is proud to announce that our new Sydney, Australia branch office is now open.

FirstPathway Partners Sydney

49 Mons Avenue
Maroubra, New South Wales 2035, Australia
P: (612) 9344-5336
F: (612) 9344-3287

Wen-Chong Liang, of Zhongshan China broke the course record at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits with eight-under 64 in the third round of the PGA Championship. When asked about the score Liang commented, “This is special, besides the score, because this is a major. And also it makes people realize that there are actually professional golfers in China, so this is a very special round.” FirstPathway Partners would like to congratulate him on this historic round at our local course.

Liang Wen-Chong is the highest ranked golfer in the PRC, ranked 78th in the world.

Read More from the Wall Street Journal

During a recent visit by USCCC President, Siva Yam, FirstPathway Partners was invited to join The United States of America-China Chamber of Commerce. FPP is proud to be a member of this worthwhile organization.

The United States of America-China Chamber of Commerce (USCCC) is a not-for-profit, bi-national membership organization dedicated to developing increased U.S.-China trade and investment activities by assisting American and Chinese companies, professionals and the general public to better understand the business environments and cultural traditions relevant to successfully doing business in both .

In a recent memorandum, USCIS officials recommended a partnership with the Department of Commerce (DOC) to help the underutilized EB5 program become more accessible to foreign investors. “USCIS views the EB-5 program as an important tool in assisting the U.S. economy as our country continues to recover from the recent recession.”

Below is an excerpt from that memorandum.

TO: Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Director

FROM: Denise A.Vanison. Policy and Strategy, Roxana Bacon, Office of the Chief Counsel, Debra A. Rogers. Field Operations, Donald Neufeld, Service Center Operations

SUBJECT: Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform

…

B. To Foster Economic Growth

1. Partner with Department of Commerce (DOC) to administer’ the EB-S Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 program allows certain aliens who have made investments in US businesses and who created at least ten jobs to obtain LPR status. Due to a number’ of factors the EB5 program has been underutilized and, as a result, job creation under this program has been limited. USCIS views the EB-5 program as an important tool in assisting the U.S. economy as our country continues to recover from the recent recession. Currently, an opportunity exists for USCIS and the DOC to work together in promoting the EB-S Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (Pilot Program). The goals of the Pilot Program and the goals of certain DOC components, such as Invest in America, seem to provide a natural starting point for agency collaboration. OPS proposes setting up a working group with the DOC to determine how DOC might assist USCIS in making the EB5 program more accessible to foreign investors thorough administrative efficiencies and promotion.

Implementation Method: Working group sessions between DOC and USCIS. Probable rulemaking to codify joint administration of the EB-5 Program once parameters are agreed upon between the two agencies.

Resources/Considerations: DHS and USCIS leadership agree that the partnership with DOC would be beneficial to USCIS as well as the EB-5 stakeholder community. Need to coordinate with DOC.

Target Date: To be determined. [We can begin cooperating with Invest in America immediately.] Allow 3-9 months so that the low hanging fruit can be harvested first.