In EB5 Investors Magazine’s listing of the “Top 25 Immigration Attorneys” of 2019, Houston partner Christian A. Triantaphyllis was featured among the industry’s leading and most influential EB-5 attorneys for the third consecutive year.
To be eligible, distinguished immigration attorneys needed to primarily file investor petitions and be available to the public. Honorees were selected by a community-wide nomination and voting process along with editorial input, and are ultimately chosen based on their industry experience, track record, and reputation.
Upon his arrival at Jackson Walker in December 2018, Christian established the Investment Immigration practice – of which he currently serves as chair – and expanded the Firm’s experience helping businesses, individuals, and families navigate the complex process of obtaining a U.S. work visa or permanent resident status. In his joint immigration and real estate practice, Christian represents foreign nationals and immigrant investors in cross-border and business immigration matters, usually dealing with regional centers and direct investments. He takes pride in easing the process for foreign nationals related to EB-5 immigrant investment petitions; I-924 Regional Center applications and amendments; petitions to acquire work-authorization for foreign national professional employees; and immigration law compliance in accordance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of State.
Outside of his practice, Christian volunteers his time as a member of the Texas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, a member of the National Peace Corps Association, and is a prior board member of the National Inter-Faith Foundation for increasing affordable housing supply, creating jobs, and providing social services.
The April 2020 edition of EB5 Investors Magazine naming the top immigration attorneys included a brief Q&A with Christian involving trends within the EB-5 industry. Here is what he said:
EB5 Investors: What are your thoughts on the EB-5 modernization changes that took effect in 2019 with the increased investment amounts?
Christian: A positive aspect of the EB-5 modernization changes is that investors, project developers, and attorneys now have more predictability for the foreseeable future regarding the EB-5 investment amounts. For several years, there was a great deal of uncertainty as to when and by how much the EB-5 investment amounts would increase, and the EB-5 industry operated under a series of short-term deadlines anticipating changes to the EB-5 program. However, there are still improvements to be made to the EB-5 program, which can be done more through legislative action that takes a more holistic approach towards modernizing the EB-5 program.
EB5 Investors: What trends are you seeing in the EB-5 industry?
Christian: Since the EB-5 modernization changes came into effect, the EB-5 industry has been focusing on educating foreign national investors about the increased investment amounts and new requirements for qualifying as a targeted employment area. EB-5 developers in 2020 appear more focused than before on rural, infrastructure and service industry projects, while at the same time continuing to market projects in urban locations, resulting in a healthy variety of offerings in the EB-5 marketplace. EB-5 investors and brokers around the world remain interested in the program, and I foresee relationships strengthening among those who are involved with facilitating the EB-5 immigration process.
To view Christian’s profile and the full list of honorees, click here.
Related News:
Immigration Issues to Consider During the Coronavirus Epidemic »
Podcast: ~ 7 minutes
Even with most U.S. businesses shifting to remote work policies, companies must continue to address ongoing immigration concerns. Jackson Walker partner Christian Triantaphyllis and senior counsel Sang Shin discuss some of the major immigration issues businesses should think about, even during the Coronavirus pandemic. For many of these issues, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) is still open for business and can address travel restrictions, hearings, investigations, and EB5 investment and job creation requirements.
