The EB5 program was created by Congress in 1990 to help create investments in underserved and underemployed areas of the country. The program offers green cards in exchange for an investment into the United States of $1,000,000. The original plan estimated 10,000 investment visas for foreign investors. 

In 1992 a second investment opportunity was added, allowing individuals to invest only $500,000, as long as the money went to low-income parts of the U.S. where the employment rate was at least 150% of the national average.  Unfortunately, states were put in charge of determining the targeted areas which created loopholes. EB5 regional centers determined where they invest could be adjacent to low-income districts. 

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