WTF? Chinese can invest $500k into PA Turnpike Project for Green Card???!!

[LynneSin]

Chinese investors sign up to fund I-95-Pa. Turnpike link


Chinese investors have begun signing up to spend $500,000 each to help pay for a long-awaited connection between the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-95.

In exchange, the investors hope to get permanent residency in the United States for themselves and their families.

Agents for the novel financing plan have been pitching the proposal in China since September, touting the project's financial stability and showcasing photos of Gov. Corbett and Turnpike Commission officials breaking ground for the construction in Bucks County.

"Guaranteed by U.S. Government, Class A+ Repayment Credit!" proclaimed the Chinese-language website promoting the investment last month. "A key expressway-connecting hub project in U.S.A.!"


Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20141130_Chinese_investors_sign_up_to_fund_I-95-Pa__Turnpike_link.html#FVu6rdkZ4SUPblKo.99

Seriously?

This just sounds wrong on so many levels. I know they need that connection between the two highways but to sell permanent residency to Chinese citizens to pay for the project just seems wrong. I mean if some Chinese criminal wants to get out of China could that person use this project to buy their way into the USA. Please tell me this project isn't as crazy as it sounds.

[Xipe Totec]

1. That's right. Invest half a mill in the US, and get a green card.

Doesn't have to be a turnpike. Any half million dollar investment will do.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Selling citizenships? Wow, think of all the money that we've missed making.

I mean, my ancestors came here for free!

You are correct, this is stinky.

[djean111]

3. Other countries do this all the time.

Example -
http://www.dol.govt.nz/immigration/knowledgebase/item/1108

Can I become a resident by investing in NZ?
To apply for residence in New Zealand through investment you should asses yourself under our Migrant Investment Policy, which includes two Investor categories:

Investor Plus (minimum investment NZ$10 million for at least three years) and
Investor (minimum investment NZ$1.5 million for at least four years).
Each category may have specific requirements for age, English language, business experience, investment funds, etc. You can find more details on our website.

There is also a Temporary Retirement Category, which is a visitor's visa (for up to two years) that requires investment/assets for a temporary stay in New Zealand.

If you're still deciding whether New Zealand is the place for you and your business, take a look at the InvestmentNow website.

This answer was last updated on 29 October, 2012.

I don't have a list or anything, but this not a new or (IMO) outrageous idea.

[LynneSin]

4. So if some Chinese gangster or shady Terrorist wants to invest millions into the project....

for a free green card?

Something still seems fishy to me.

[djean111]

5. As I said, many many countries do this.

And I do not, quite honestly and not in any sort of flippant manner, feel there is not much difference between Chinese gangsters and shady terrorists and, say, the Koch brothers. And, really, I prefer this to the state just selling the rights to someone like Mitt Romney, who would then charge the state double to build with outside labor and materials, and then charge tolls, with an agreement that if there is not enough revenue from tolls, the taxpayers will pay the difference. Not to mention not doing the repairs and letting the taxpayers pay for that, too.

I think Chinese gangsters and shady terrorists have all kinds of ways of getting into America, without investing money out in the open. All that is under the table, methinks, straight to the banks and government. Also I would imagine background checks are done, for whatever that is worth, these days.

[Number9Dream]

6. Deceptive, unclear "journalism" by Inquirer

At first, the writer says, "In exchange, the investors hope to get permanent residency in the United States for themselves and their families." He doesn't mention the additional financial payback until almost the end of the article.

"The deal is structured so the Turnpike Commission can repay the foreign investors after five years with cash or with a municipal bond."

Same trustworthy folks who gave us stinkbugs, poisoned pet food, spotted lantern flies, etc... what could go wrong?