Enter 2026: US EB-5? Gold Card? or Walk Away?
Happy New Year! As 2026 begins and a year of heightened uncertainty in U.S. immigration comes to a close, Mona and Rebecca discuss what the changed landscape may mean for investors heading into the new year. Will we see the sun set on the EB-5 program, replaced by Trump’s so-called fast and flexible Gold Cards? All is revealed in our analysis of what to expect in 2026.
We revisit a year defined by disruption. The return of Trump-era immigration policies, categorized by renewed travel bans and tighter restrictions, collided with a USCIS adjudication crisis in which requests for evidence and denials reached historic highs. Together, these forces reshaped the EB-5 landscape, driving investor caution. Yet, it was not all bad news. Game changing legal developments, including the landmark ruling in Battineni v. Mayorkas, began to recalibrate source of funds expectations, pushing back unreasonable document demands and offering much needed clarity for attorneys and investors alike.
This episode also explores the growing ‘American Exodus’ as record numbers of U.S. citizens seek second passports, foreign residency and global ‘plan B’ options amid political and economical uncertainty. So, whether you’re weighing EB-5 against the Gold Card, navigating USCIS scrutiny, or exploring global ‘plan B’ options, tune in for the insight and foresight you need to navigate 2026 with confidence.
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