A South American Builds his Future in America through EB-5 and Hospitality 

An EB-5 hospitality petition succeeds when both family support and precise legal strategy come together. In this case, the funds were drawn from family resources carefully preserved over many years.  

The challenge was to prove that multi-generational funds, crossing borders and jurisdictions, were lawful and properly transferred. As Attorney Bunce explained, “A critical part of every EB-5 case is documenting the lawful source of investment funds. Just as there isn’t one single way to lawfully obtain funds, there isn’t one single way to document them.”  

Given this complexity, Colombo & Hurd team applied heightened diligence, assembling records and affidavits into a clear timeline. What began as a complex financial history became a petition USCIS could easily review and approve. 

The client’s investment supported a multi-million-dollar hotel development structured to qualify under EB-5 rules. Located in a TEA and affiliated with a regional center, the project was projected to create well over the required 10 jobs per investor using USCIS-recognized modeling. 

As Attorney Bunce noted, “An investment project should give the investor credible economic modeling and timelines showing how it will create jobs.”   

This project paired a strong business plan with detailed job creation analysis, giving USCIS confidence in its compliance. Attorney Bunce added, “Many investors consider EB-5 investments affiliated with regional centers attractive because they can also utilize economic modeling to demonstrate job creation instead of merely relying upon direct hires to satisfy this requirement.”  

Beyond compliance, the project represents a direct contribution to one of America’s fastest-recovering industries. 

This EB-5 hospitality approval, like most in this visa category, rests on satisfying five requirements: qualified investment, lawful source of funds, capital at risk, job creation, and active participation. Colombo & Hurd presented each element in a clear, evidence-driven record.  

Attorney Bunce shared that at Colombo & Hurd, “we start every petition by putting ourselves in the shoes of the person adjudicating the petition. Our goal is to present the materials we provide in an easy-to-understand manner to help the decision maker feel confident about issuing an approval.”  This clarity reinforced the client’s eligibility and demonstrated Colombo & Hurd’s mastery in preparing EB-5 petitions. 

The I-526 petition was approved after full review of our client’s lawful funds, at-risk capital, and projected job creation.  

For our client, this is a direct path to permanent residence in the United States and stability to continue building a professional and personal future. 

For the community, this contributes to significant job creation, revitalizes a key neighborhood, and expands the local hospitality sector. 

For the EB-5 program, this success reinforces its value as a credible tool for pairing immigration with meaningful development. It shows how foreign investment, when carefully managed, strengthens both families and the American economy. 

If you are considering the EB-5 program, we invite you to complete a free evaluation of your profile. Our team will review your goals, background, and investment potential, and provide clear guidance on the best path forward.