12 Star Capital

11/05/2025

21/03/2025

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19/03/2025

Trump’s announcement of the new Gold Card program has created urgency from within the South African EB-5 community.

A considerable amount of demand is being observed for many of our ongoing initiatives given the impending price increase compared to what may come down the pipeline.

Investors who want to apply for the EB-5 program must move fast to submit their visa petitions as soon as possible in order to be eligible under the $800,000 investment restrictions of the current EB-5 scheme.

Contact us as soon as possible at [email protected]

12/03/2025

President Donald Trump recently provided additional information regarding the EB-5 visa adjustments and the impending Gold Card program stating that the new program intends to rectify the current state of improperly monetized and managed US immigration.

The most recent information suggests that the administration plans to 'modify' EB-5 rather than replace it with the Gold Card program, a comment credited to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. EB-5 has undergone numerous revisions and enhancements, the most recent of which was made possible by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA).

Changes to the EB-5 must be approved by Congress: The regional center program was reauthorized by Congress through 2027 through the RIA, codifying the EB-5 program into law. The only way to alter the program is for Congress to take action.

26/02/2025

UPDATE ON EB-5 PROGRAM

President Trump has announced plans to end the EB-5 program in favor or the 'Trump Gold Card' program which will provide “green card plus benefits,” including a path to citizenship for $5M for ultra high net worth individuals in order to help reduce the country's deficit. Further details regarding the proposal are set to be released within the next 2 weeks.

Some key considerations:

-An act of Congress, such as the Immigration and Nationality Act, cannot be disregarded or overridden by the president. Congress has the power to enact immigration rules that regulate naturalization, exclusion, and admission. The Supreme Court has affirmed over and again that Congress has "plenary" authority over immigration under Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18. Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 ("RIA"), Congress reauthorized the EB-5 Program, which is now in effect. The expiration date is September 30, 2027. A congressional measure, such as the current EB-5 scheme, cannot be overturned by the president. If the Trump administration were to genuinely try to terminate the EB-5 program, a bill would have to be introduced by its Republican congressional partners. In order to avoid becoming "filibustered," any legislation would have to pass both chambers of Congress, including the Senate, where standing rules mandate the use of "cloture" to restrict debate and move a bill to a final vote. There are just 53 Senate Republicans, many of whom support the EB-5 program, and 60 votes are needed to invoke cloture. Any legislation to repeal and/or replace the EB-5 program will never be passed unless the administration can get at least seven Democratic senators to support it (which is improbable), even if all Senate Republicans support it.
-The Immigration and Nationality Act must be amended in order to alter Congress's sole authority over the distribution of employment-based green card numbers. Only Congress has the authority to enact new laws and change current ones, although the president may suggest new immigration legislation.

21/02/2025

Congratulations to the Henning family on your I526 approval. The EB5 program has a solid history and has withstood numerous policy changes and political environments. Recent changes have reduced many of the risks connected with EB5 and produced a more predictable program by strengthening investor safeguards, streamlining procedures, increasing transparency, and providing clearer timetables.

20/02/2025

The US embassy has provided an update on President Trump's order focused on resettling Afrikaaner refugees into the United States.

Key points

-The word 'Afrikaaner' includes all minotiry groups in South Africa being discriminated against
-A final draft of the order is being prepared by the Department of State and the department of Homeland Security
-There is no refugee progam currently in place and USCIS's formal refugee program was halted by President Trump in January 2025
-The program is a refugee program not an asylum program and therefore applications will have to be made from inside South Africa.

A recently signed executive order from President Donald Trump directs immigration agencies to prioritize the resettlement Afrikaaners who are victims of unjust racial discrimination.

It is important to note that this order directs USCIS and The Department of State to submit a final plan to the President.

As such, it is not currently known what the eligibility requirements or application process will be or if reversal of any policies in South Africa will impact the order. Further clarification on this matter is needed before next steps can be determined.

Refugees ordinarily need to be outside of the US, be able to demonstrate past persecution and be admissiable under US immigration law.

How the order affects those in the US remains to be seen.

11/02/2025

A recently signed executive order from President Donald Trump directs immigration agencies to prioritize the resettlement Afrikaaners who are victims of unjust racial discrimination.

It is important to note that this order directs USCIS and The Department of State to submit a final plan to the President.

As such, it is not currently known what the eligibility requirements or application process will be or if reversal of any policies in South Africa will impact the order. Further clarification on this matter is needed before next steps can be determined.

Refugees ordinarily need to be outside of the US, be able to demonstrate past persecution and be admissiable under US immigration law.

How the order affects those in the US remains to be seen.

31/01/2025

Congratulations to the Van Der Merwe family on your I526 approval. Recent data from USCIS shows a rise in approvals for petitions to remove conditions on EB5 issued green cards as well as a record number of consular approvals. Along with the fact that documentation is longer needed to provide evidence of a covid-19 vaccination, the process for obtaining an EB5 green card has become more direct and streamlined than ever.

28/01/2025

With over 25 years EB5 investment experience and over 400 families helped, we are the leading EB5 firm in South Africa. Our clients’ aspirations and goals are at the centre of what we do and our highly qualified immigration team work extensively to ensure these objectives are met. We are partnered with the best service providers in the industry and our tailored and streamlined approach allow us to efficiently handle aspects of the immigration journey from A to Z. Come and find out how a second passport can open the door for new opportunities for you and your family.