U.S. Sells Citizenship to Wealthy Immigrants

By Sarah McBride | Reuters – Fri, Jun 29, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shera Bechard, the Canadian-born former girlfriend of Playboy Enterprises founder Hugh Hefner, would not be an obvious candidate for the special visas that the U.S. government reserves for "individuals with extraordinary ability."

Playboy magazine named Bechard Miss November in 2010, and she also started an online photo-sharing craze called "Frisky Friday." Neither seems quite on the level of an "internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize," which the government cites as a possible qualification.

But Los Angeles immigration lawyer Chris Wright argued that Bechard's accomplishments earned her a slot. The government ultimately agreed.

That kind of success has put Wright on the map as the go-to visa fixer for both Hollywood and Silicon Valley. It also highlights the use of so-called genius visas known as O-1s and EB-1s, which have largely escaped political controversy and are now the immigration solution of choice for many entrepreneurs.

[Related: 102-year-old man becomes U.S. citizen]

As many immigration lawyers see it, the paucity of immigration options for the most entrepreneurial foreigners mean they must use any avenue they can. This approach, along with seeming flexibility in Washington on what constitutes "extraordinary ability," means the O-1 is gaining traction in technology circles. Wider use could ultimately land it in political trouble.

For example, the H-1B visa, which allows employers to hire foreigners temporarily in certain specialized fields like technology, has drawn accusations from union groups and others that companies use it to bring in lower-skilled labor.

The O-1 visa allows individuals of "extraordinary ability" to come to the United States for up to three years, and can be extended. British journalist Piers Morgan used one when he replaced Larry King on his late-night TV show, Wright said.

The EB-1 is similar, but leads to a green card and permanent residency rather than a temporary stay, with "extraordinary ability" being one of the ways to qualify - along with being an outstanding professor or researcher, or a multinational executive.

[Related: Ariz. implements immigration law as feds push back]

Foreign entrepreneurs have another option - the Immigrant Investor Program, or EB-5 visa - but it requires a capital investment of at least $500,000 and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
By contrast, no proof of personal wealth or investment in the United States is required for the O-1 or the EB-
1.

There is also no cap on the number of O-1s that the government can award each year; about 12,280 were approved in 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said, up from 9,478 in 2006. It issued about 25,000 EB-1s last year, below their cap of 40,000.

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You Think You Know, But No!

I am getting burned out on these idiots that pretend they know everything, especially when they haven't graduated High School, or even Grade School. I am not trying to be boastful, however I have yet to meet anybody that was more well-rounded with more information on more topics than most could acquire in their lifetime. Just to inform you, I am 26 years old, and I have no prestigious award, nor a Bachelor's Degree, but I am a hobbyist reader. Not that reading is a better hobby than most have picked up along the way, but it does allow the reader to focus on the facts, dates, and major points that are within the piece of writing.

The calmness of the public is astounding, since it now seems as if nobody in Stockton knows what the hell is going on anymore or maybe they just don't care. For most it's both, and if you're one of the people that "doesn't care," then you are gonna have fun explaining that to your significant other.

We need to start realizing the harm we are doing all over the world. Our country should make it a law to not give the option of having a wrong opinion. So tell me why we should continue to let Americans have beliefs based on their opinion? Why not tell them they are wrong, and support the truth by giving them the facts. Because facts cannot be questioned.

When This Happens I Will be Hard to Reach

As the world as my witness, I will never blame someone else for my shortcomings, however if I have people around that are becoming obstacles, I will hurdle them and continue on my way.  I would like to have help along the journey, but I feel as if I am asking the wrong people to get involved.  Once I get the means to start my successful corporation, I will put Americans back to work.

Everyday that passes only stirs my boiling water, I am in need of the noodles to make my pasta.  Investor's are hard to find and tough to contact.  Once they come forward and help my corporation with a little bit of capital, It's going to be too much for me to try to do all alone.  So this becomes the point where I hire college graduates to use their education daily, and improve the moral and ability to get orders out.  This is where most business owners fail, because they get their first business running well and they think they are done.  Life will be a struggle if they stop here and want to, "BE THE BOSS."  For those of us that know the economy, this is just #1, and now we're ready to go, "on to the next one!"

Truth be told, there is no end in business, especially for one that has yet to truly begin the path to wealth and prosperity.  Time will allow you to continue, but only until you reach a point where you see the peak, at this vista point too many will stay.  And why not?  It's a beautiful view, and there is usually a nice breeze that one will feel.  This is the Catagory you fall into if you are happy with what you have.  I am different, its not that I am unhappy with what I have, I want more, so I have more to give.  I have yet to be described as greedy.

I would like to start my clothing company, capital management company, recycling company, solar-farming company, as well as a shipping company, all with a good amount of employees.  This is just to name a few, eventually I will open Mall's, Business Parks, Retail Strips, Apartment Complexes, my own Airline, Record Labels, a Cellular provider, Television Network, and the list goes on... One Day...  Some Day!

"Some don't deserve what they have, and the rest don't have what they deserve!"

Lets look at a business Idea together and see what we can produce while money isn't involved:

Business Name:  EE (Electronic Experts)
Start-up Date: 9-10-2011
Start-up Costs:  $45,000

What will you do with this money?  
First:  Acquire a 1 year lease for a Retail Shop at least 500 square feet
Second:  Furnish the Store (POS Machines, CPU's, Tables, Lights, Desks)
Third:  Purchase initial Inventory
Fourth:  Advertise on the Radio, On-line, and local Newspapers.
Fifth:  Food and Drinks for the Break-Room.
Sixth:  Put $250 in each Register before we open the first day!

This is all it takes to put people to work, and it will sustain itself as long as you give your customer's a reason to patronize your store (sales, new inventory, public ads, and even promotions).  If we all did a lil-bit to help out this country would be the land we all see in our dreams, but the sad part is the people that have the money, won't put it to work to make more.  But the people that are willing to help anyone, don't have the money.  I have come to the reality that some don't deserve what they have, and the rest don't have what they deserve!!