When evaluating an EB-5 investment, many investors naturally focus on immigration outcomes, such as project approvals, job creation, and the likelihood of obtaining permanent residency. While these are undoubtedly critical factors, the underlying project deserves just as much attention. At its core, an EB-5 investment is still an investment. The project’s location and the market demand surrounding it can significantly influence construction progress, project success, loan re

ARCFE × iCross Capital were honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the AG21/AG22 project, now officially named The Vera, a landmark residential development in the heart of Long Island City (LIC), Queens. This event marks the beginning of another exciting chapter for one of NYC’s most dynamic neighborhoods and represents another major milestone for United Construction & Development Group, one of the most active and accomplished developers in the NYC residenti

For nearly half a century, international students in the U.S. have operated under the Duration of Status (D/S) framework. That longstanding policy may now be subject to significant change. On May 5, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a final rule affecting F, J and I nonimmigrant classifications to the OMB/OIRA for federal review. The proposed regulatory shift would replace the current D/S system, which permits individuals to remain in the U.S. for as l

A 2025 report by PincusCo ranked iCross Capital, ARCFE’s parent company, 35th out of 105 lending institutions in NYC, highlighting the firm’s growing presence and expertise in one of the most competitive and sophisticated real estate markets in the world. The report noted that NYC construction lending activity surged in 2025, with lenders providing over $23.3B across 344 deals, reflecting strong demand for experienced capital partners capable of navigating complex developme

In recent weeks, a proposed bill in Iowa has drawn significant attention from Chinese international students and families planning long-term careers and residency pathways in the U.S. The legislation, known as HF 2513, would prohibit public universities in Iowa from entering into new employment agreements with certain H-1B visa holders from a list of designated countries. The bill has already passed the Iowa House of Representatives and has advanced through the Senate Labor C

Redeployment is one of the most important (and often misunderstood) concepts in the EB-5 investment process. For investors pursuing permanent residency through the EB-5 program, understanding how redeployment works is essential to managing expectations, mitigating risk, and ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration requirements. What Is “Redeployment”? In the context of the EB-5 program, redeployment refers to the reinvestment of EB-5 capital into a new project or investment

Many families shared a common thought process when evaluating EB-5 projects: there are many options, many different claims, and the more you read, the less certain you feel. This is completely understandable. Assessing EB-5 project safety goes beyond reliance on marketing materials or recommendations from friends. At its core, it is a long-term investment commitment that spans across multiple economic cycles. The factors that truly determine risk are often hidden in the struc

Recently, a new bill introduced in Congress has once again brought the future of the H-1B visa program into the spotlight. The proposed legislation, titled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemption or EXILE Act, was introduced by Florida Republican Representative Greg Steube. The bill seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by gradually reducing the annual H1B visa cap each year until it reaches zero in 2027, effectively terminating the program. A Ren

Investors in the EB-5 regional center program make a capital investment into a project by pooling their funds into a New Commercial Enterprise (NCE), which is overseen by a Regional Center. The NCE then deploys these funds to a Job Creating Entity (JCE), which is typically managed by the project developer and is responsible for carrying out the project and creating the required jobs. Here, the EB-5 capital is commonly structured as either equity or a loan. While obtaining a g