The United States is facing an unprecedented convergence of economic and social challenges. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at lightning speed, displacing workers once thought secure in their roles. Tariff-driven disruptions are straining businesses and global supply chains. At the same time, rising deportations are worsening an already acute labor shortage.
Amid this historic instability, one often-overlooked immigration pathway, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, offers a strategic, people-centered solution.
A NATION IN FLUX
From tech employees replaced by AI-driven tools to factory workers impacted by shifting supply chains, America is experiencing waves of dislocation. In 2025 alone, approximately 10 million workers have been laid off across all sectors, making it increasingly challenging to secure new jobs.
The public sector has not been spared either: nearly 150,000 federal employees have resigned or been laid off, according to the media. As industries prioritize AI efficiencies, hiring freezes, and restructuring, uncertainty continues to mount. Added to this are tariff-induced economic slowdowns, fueling fears of a deeper recession.
Against this backdrop, creating new opportunities for U.S. workers is imperative, not only to preserve livelihoods but also to ensure the stability of families and communities.
WHY EB-5 MATTERS NOW?
The EB-5 visa program was designed precisely for moments like this. Established in 1990, EB-5 allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residency by investing in U.S. businesses that create at least ten full-time jobs for American workers. Unlike other immigration programs, EB-5 requires no taxpayer funding. Instead, it channels global capital directly into projects that generate sustainable employment.
In a time of layoffs, economic uncertainty, and worker shortages, EB-5 is uniquely positioned to meet the moment. It can finance infrastructure, green energy, housing developments, and local businesses, investments that directly translate into jobs.
JOB CREATION IN ACTION
History shows that EB-5 has already been a quiet but powerful driver of job growth. From funding hospitals in rural communities to revitalizing struggling neighborhoods, EB-5 capital has built schools, created construction jobs, and sustained small businesses.
- A 2023 Congressional report noted that EB-5 investments created more than 322,000 jobs in fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
- A 2017 report documented over $16.7 billion in EB-5 investment during just two fiscal years (2012–2013), fueling projects across the country.
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These figures underscore EB-5’s capacity not only as a financial mechanism, but as a proven engine for economic recovery.
IMMIGRATION IN 2025: A SHRINKING LANDSCAPE
Increasingly restrictive immigration policies further exacerbate the current workforce crisis. Humanitarian protections such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are being rolled back. Earlier this year, international students faced mass terminations and visa revocations. Though some had their status reinstated, many were forced to leave the U.S.
Even H-1B visa and other work visa holders, long a cornerstone of America’s innovation economy, face unprecedented insecurity. Laid-off workers are receiving Notices to Appear (NTAs), initiating deportation proceedings. Families must make agonizing decisions: leave voluntarily or remain while facing an uncertain future. While it’s been possible to help some people maintain status based on their own startup companies, it is not feasible for everyone.
Adding to this uncertainty, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a new policy (one of many) requiring children of immigrants to wait until the “final action date” in the visa bulletin to file adjustment of status applications. This change will likely result in many children aging out of their parents’ green card applications, leaving families fractured. In this environment, all visa categories can be subject to scrutiny, including the EB-5 visa. Nevertheless, EB-5 still stands out as one of the few immigration pathways that benefits both immigrants and American workers.
A WIN-WIN SOLUTION
The EB-5 program could serve as a stabilizing force by:
- Counteracting tariff-driven disruptions through domestic investment and infrastructure financing.
- Alleviating labor shortages caused by deportations and other factors by sustaining job creation and strengthening local economies.
- Offering at-risk high-skilled immigrants and their families a viable, long-term pathway to remain in the U.S. while directly contributing to economic recovery.
A CALL TO ACTION
America stands at a crossroads. The challenges of AI, global trade instability, and restrictive immigration enforcement are real and pressing. But solutions exist. The EB-5 program, with its proven record of investment, job creation, and economic impact, is one of the most effective tools available. It not only gives immigrants a secure path to remain in the U.S. but also ensures that the U.S. can weather this storm and emerge stronger.
For visa holders in the U.S. seeking security and stability, the EB-5 visa may offer a lifeline for them and their families. For policymakers, business leaders, or members of the broader economic ecosystem, now is the time to recognize the power of EB-5 and expand pathways to utilize it fully.
At this historic moment, EB-5 is not merely an immigration option; it is a catalyst for recovery, resilience, and renewal.
Tahmina Watson
Tahmina Watson is an EB-5 immigration attorney and the founder of Watson Immigration Law.
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