I-526E petition for conditional green card adjudicated 7 months after EB-5 project approved by USCIS

CMB Regional Centers (CMB), one of the most experienced regional center operators in the EB-5 industry, today announced the first approval of a petition for conditional permanent residency in the United States (I-526E petition) by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an investor in its Group 84 – Hillwood Daytona BTS project.

The I-526E petition is filed by an individual seeking a green card through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, with approval signifying the eligibility of the investor and their immediate family members for conditional permanent residency in the United States.

“This first approval of an I-526E petition is a significant milestone for our business and, most importantly, for the investors and families who have entrusted us with a critical step in their immigration journey,” said Noreen Hogan, President at CMB. “We are thrilled for this investor and look forward to additional USCIS approvals in the near future.”

The CMB Group 84 EB-5 partnership lent $79.2 million to a Hillwood Development Company-affiliated entity for the construction of a Daytona Beach (Florida) build-to-suit logistics facility for a Fortune 500 tenant. CMB and Hillwood Development Company (Hillwood) have cultivated one of the most successful EB-5 lender-borrower relationships in the EB-5 space, with over 40 EB-5 projects and more than $500 million in EB-5 loan repayment to investors.

CMB and Hillwood have generated significant traction over the past year with regard to record-setting speed for approvals of their EB-5 collaborations, far outpacing the USCIS-reported 13 months (for 80% of cases) for I-956F petitions:

• CMB Group 89 – Hillwood City Creek (I-956F approved in 39 days)
• CMB Group 86 – Gable House Apartments (I-956F approved in under five months)
• CMB Group 90 – Hillwood Treeline (I-956F approved in just over six months)
• CMB Group 93 – Coachella Valley (I-956F approved in three months)
• CMB Group 98 – Hillwood Commerce 71 (I-956F approved in under three months)

About CMB Regional Centers

CMB has been a leader in the EB-5 industry for over 28 years, with its first regional center designation approved in 1997. Since then, CMB has assisted over 6,600 investor families, from over 100 countries, in their pursuit of immigrating to the United States. CMB currently maintains a 100% project approval rate on all partnerships that have undergone USCIS adjudication. To date, CMB has repaid over $1.4 billion USD to investors.

To learn more, contact CMB directly at info@cmbeb5visa.com.

Hogan, President of CMB Regional Centers, has officially been elected for a third term 

CMB Regional Centers (CMB) today announced that Noreen Hogan (President, CMB) has been reelected as Vice President of Invest in the USA (IIUSA), the leading industry trade group for the EB-5 Immigrant-Investor Program.  

“I am honored and humbled to serve as Vice President of IIUSA,” said Hogan “I look forward to continuing our work to advance, enable and improve the EB-5 Regional Center program.” 

IIUSA, the investment-based immigration industry’s leading advocacy group, brings together more than 200 EB-5 Regional Center members around a shared purpose: stimulating the United States economy by cultivating foreign investments that create American jobs. IIUSA’s work has been integral in generating $32 billion in investment, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and revitalizing communities across the country. 

“EB-5 is at an inflection point, and IIUSA’s mission has never been more vital,” said Hogan “As leaders from across the Regional Center industry, it is our responsibility to ensure the EB-5 program remains a sustainable source of capital for job-creating projects and a viable pathway to permanent residency for investors.” 

A pioneer in the Regional Center industry, CMB’s track record demonstrates both the promise and the potential of EB-5 to harness the power of foreign investment to reinvigorate American communities. An acronym for “California Military Base”, CMB was founded in 1997 with a focus on leveraging EB-5 to revitalize former military bases in California. CMB’s first EB-5 projects laid the groundwork for McClellan Air Force Base and Norton Air Force Base to transform into McClellan Park (the largest master-planned community in California) and the San Bernardino International Airport, respectively. 

About CMB Regional Centers 

CMB Regional Centers (CMB) has been a leader in the EB-5 industry for over 28 years, with its first regional center designation approved in 1997. Since then, CMB has assisted over 6,600 investor families, from over 100 countries, in their pursuit of immigrating to the United States. CMB currently maintains a 100% project approval rate on partnerships that have undergone United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudication. To date, CMB has repaid over $1.4 billion USD to investors. 

To learn more, contact CMB directly at info@cmbeb5visa.com.  

CMB Regional Centers Logistics Project Awarded I-956F Approval by USCIS

Investors will be eligible for immediate adjudication of conditional green card petitions 

DALLAS, May 1, 2025 – CMB Regional Centers (CMB), one of the most experienced regional center operators in the EB-5 industry, today announced that its Group 98 – Hillwood Commerce 71 project has received Form I-956F approval less than three months after filing with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

I-956F approval indicates that USCIS has confirmed the project meets all necessary EB-5 Immigrant-Investor Program requirements, making Group 98 investors eligible for immediate adjudication of their conditional green card (I-526E) petitions by USCIS.  

“Securing I-956F approval is a critical milestone in the EB-5 process, and the continued speedy approvals of our projects in high-unemployment areas highlight the underwriting rigor we apply to our investment opportunities,” said Noreen Hogan, President at CMB “With this approval, our Group 98 investors are that much closer to achieving their goal of permanent residency in the United States.” 

Located in the growing business hub of Columbus (capital city of Ohio), Hillwood Commerce 71 will include the development and construction of two Class-A industrial logistics facilities, a wastewater treatment facility, and associated infrastructure improvements required to complete the redevelopment of the site. EB-5 funds will be utilized in all aspects of the development and construction activities of the project. 

The approval continues the trend of record-setting USCIS approval timeframes for CMB EB-5 projects, far outpacing the USCIS-reported 14 months processing time (for 80% of cases) for I-956F petitions: 

• CMB Group 89 – Hillwood City Creek (I-956F approved in 39 days) 
• CMB Group 86 – Gable House Apartments (I-956F approved in under five months)
• CMB Group 90 – Hillwood Treeline (I-956F approved in just over six months) 
• CMB Group 93 – Coachella Valley (I-956F approved in three months) 

CMB and Hillwood Development Company (Hillwood) have cultivated one of the most successful EB-5 lender-borrower relationships in the EB-5 space, with over 40 EB-5 projects and more than $500 million in EB-5 loan repayment to investors. Hillwood is among the largest and most successful developers in the United States and has developed projects for over 90 companies listed in either the Fortune 500 or Global 500. 

Group 98 is the thirteenth CMB EB-5 partnership to achieve an I-956F approval under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA).  

Previously approved partnerships include: 

• CMB Group 78 – Hillwood California BTS 
• CMB Group 81 – Inland Empire Industrial 
• CMB Group 82 – Hazleton Logistics Park
• CMB Group 83 – Hillwood SOMI Hayward
• CMB Group 84 – Hillwood Daytona 
• CMB Group 86 – Gable House Apartments
• CMB Group 87 – Kona Bay Hampton Hotel
• CMB Group 88 – Hillwood Detroit Fairgrounds 
• CMB Group 89 – Hillwood City Creek  
• CMB Group 90 – Hillwood Treeline 
• CMB Group 91 – Hillwood DTW Air Cargo
• CMB Group 93 – Coachella Valley 

About CMB Regional Centers 

CMB Regional Centers (CMB) has been a leader in the EB-5 industry for over 28 years, with its first regional center designation approved in 1997. Since then, CMB has assisted over 6,600 investor families, from over 100 countries, in their pursuit of immigrating to the United States. CMB currently maintains a 100% project approval rate on partnerships that have undergone United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudication. To date, CMB has repaid over $1.4 billion USD to investors. 

To learn more about CMB, the EB-5 program, and Group 98 please visit the CMB website or contact us directly at info@cmbeb5visa.com. 

The allegations revolved around a complex financial situation in which CMB’s principals made extraordinary efforts to enhance and protect the collateral by preserving the ongoing operations of its borrower and affiliated companies

LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2025 – CMB Export LLC, a global leader in helping foreign nationals achieve permanent residency through the EB-5 immigrant investor program, announced its landmark victory in a civil trial. The three-week trial, presided over in Los Angeles, culminated in a jury verdict delivered on November 21, 2024. The jury ruled in favor of CMB Export and its principals in a unanimous verdict that was memorialized in a Judgement in favor of CMB Export that was filed by the court on April 2, 2025.

The allegations revolved around a complex financial situation in which CMB’s principals made extraordinary efforts to preserve the ongoing operations of its borrower and affiliated companies. When the borrower and its parent company were faced with significant financial challenges, the principals of CMB Export personally infused over $15 million into the borrower’s business to sustain operations in an effort to enhance and protect the collateral securing its loan.

At issue in the case were claims suggesting that CMB Export (the general partner) and its principals acted against the interests of the limited partnership and its stakeholders. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged they were deprived of the opportunity to independently invest funds when CMB Export’s principals contributed over $15 million of their own money to stabilize and maintain operations of the borrower’s company. This effort was undertaken during a critical period to ensure the borrower’s health, sustain American job creation, and increase the overall value of its assets that serves as collateral for the limited partnership’s loan to position the borrower and its parent company for a future sale and repayment to its creditors.

The defense demonstrated that the principals’ actions not only allowed the borrower’s company and its parent company to continue operations, but also preserved the integrity of the limited partnership. Furthermore, CMB Export’s strategic decisions helped to enable the borrower’s company and its parent company to generate the required economic activity to meet the EB-5 program’s mandate of creating at least ten new American jobs per investor.

By assigning the full benefits of their $15 million loans to the limited partnership, the principals ensured that all limited partners—not a select few—benefited from their efforts. The jury validated this position, recognizing that the principals acted in the best interest of the limited partnership and all its investors.

“The jury’s verdict reaffirms what we have always stood for—acting transparently and with integrity to benefit every member of our limited partnership,” said Pat Hogan, Manager of CMB Export “The decision to personally step in and provide financial support to stabilize the borrower’s company was not made lightly. This victory highlights our unwavering commitment to both CMB’s mission and the trust of our valued investors.”

The legal team at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP represented CMB Export in this case, demonstrating their expertise in navigating complex civil litigation. Their strategic approach and in-depth understanding of fiduciary law played a critical role in securing the favorable verdict.

Notably, CMB Export and its affiliates continue to deliver on the primary goal of the EB-5 program—helping investor’s secure permanent residency (green cards) in the United States. Every limited partner within the limited partnership central to this case has successfully achieved this outcome.

Comprehensive Guide to the EB-5 Program for Investors

 The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a unique and expedited pathway to permanent residency in the United States (a green card) for foreign investors and their immediate, eligible family members. Since it was established in 1990, the program has been a popular option for those looking to secure a future for themselves and their loved ones in the United States. This guide to EB-5 aims to provide a thorough understanding of the EB-5 program, including eligibility requirements, investment guidelines, benefits, potential risks, and the application process.

What is the EB-5 Visa Program?

The EB-5 Visa Program was established by the U.S. Congress 35 years ago to encourage foreign investment in American businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth across the country. Eligible foreign investors can secure permanent residency by investing in an American business that creates jobs.

The primary requirement of the program is that applicants make a qualifying investment that leads to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. In return, after a sustainment period for the investment, investors, their spouses and children under the age of 21, are eligible for the return of their investment and permanent resident status in the United States.

Eligibility Requirements for EB-5 Investors

• Investment:
  • $1.05 million or reduced to $800,000 if the investment is made in a targeted employment area (TEA). TEAs include rural or high-unemployment communities that welcome new capital investment intended to strengthen the economic viability and vitality of their community and region. 
• Job Creation:
  • The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, which can be direct or indirect (depending on the type of investment)*.
• At-Risk Capital:
  • The investment must be “at risk,” meaning that while many projects do end with the return of capital for an investor, such as the $1.4 billion CMB has returned to its investors, there is no guarantee on return of principal and the investor’s funds must face the risk of loss.

The EB-5 Journey

The EB-5 process is a multi-step journey that can lead to permanent residency in the United States. While the process will include nuances specific to each investor’s personal situation, below is an outline of the typical process:

• Step 1: Choose a Qualifying Project: Investors can choose from a few different types of investment, or approach to EB-5:
  • Direct Investment: Investors directly invest in a U.S. business and take an active role in the management and operations of the enterprise
  • Regional Center Investment: Investors can join a partnership as limited partners in a pooled investment made through a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)-approved Regional Center, which manages the investment and offers a more passive role for investors.
• Step 2: File a Petition for Conditional Residency in the United States (Form I-526E)
  • Once a qualifying investment is made, the investor files Form I-526E with USCIS.
  • An I-526E is a petition that demonstrates the investor has met the EB-5 investment requirements, including amount of at-risk capital, job creation, and source of investment funds.
  • Note: I-526E petitions cannot be adjudicated until Form I-956F is approved for the project. While I-956F approval timelines vary, CMB has been able to consistently bring projects to market that are already I-956F approved, thanks to the rigorous underwriting criteria we apply to our investment opportunities.
• Step 3: Conditional Green Card is Issued
  • If USCIS approves the I-526E petition, the investor, their spouse, and eligible children under 21 will receive conditional green cards that are valid for two years.
  • These conditional green cards grant the investor and their family members the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States, during the conditional period.
• Step 4: File a Petition to Remove Conditions from Green Card (Form I-829)
  • Within 90 days before the two-year anniversary of receiving a conditional green card, the investor must file Form I-829 to demonstrate that the investment has indeed met all requirements of the EB-5 program, including job creation and at-risk capital. Upon approval of the I-829 by USCIS, the conditions are removed from the investor’s green card and the investor and their eligible family members are granted permanent residency privileges for the United States.
• Step 5 (Optional): Apply for full citizenship by naturalization
  • After five years of lawful permanent residence, EB-5 investors can apply for full citizenship by naturalization. While permanent residency grants many of the same benefits of citizenship, full citizenship brings unique benefits such as voting rights, sponsorship of parents and adult married children of citizens to join them in the United States, and deportation immunity.

Risks Involved in EB-5

• Investment Risk: As an investment-based program, capital must be at-risk, potentially resulting in a loss of the investment, if the project does not perform as expected. This highlights the importance of Regional Center and project selection. CMB, for example, is proud to have returned over $1.4 billion to investors as a result of project success.
• Processing Delays: While delays in the processing of I-526E and I-829 petitions can prolong the time it takes to get a green card, EB-5 remains the most expedited path to permanent residency in the United States that is currently available.
• Changes in Immigration Law: The EB-5 program has been subject to legislative changes over the years. While EB-5 investors who invest prior to September 30, 2026 are protected by the current law (via a “grandfathering” provision) and cannot be denied due to a termination or revamp of the EB-5 program, the Trump Administration’s announcement of a Gold Card donation-based immigration program highlights the reality that changes may be coming, and a price increase is almost certainly imminent.
• Regional Center Risks: If investing through a Regional Center, it’s important to choose based on a strong track record of integrity, project success, and investor satisfaction. Due diligence is critical when selecting a Regional Center partner to manage an EB-5 investment.

How to Choose the Right Regional Center

Choosing the right investment and, for most EB-5 candidates, the right Regional Center is crucial for success. When evaluating options, EB-5 applicants should consider:

• Reputation of the Regional Center: Research the track record of the regional center, looking for a solid history of successful projects, green card approvals, and compliance with program regulations.
• Business Plan & Financials: Assess the business plan, job creation strategy and measurement methodology, and financial projections to ensure they align with EB-5 requirements.
• Risk Mitigation: Consider the factors associated with the project, including the type (i.e., logistics, commercial real estate, etc.), relevant market factors, and the Regional Center’s track record with similar projects.

Ready to get started on your own journey toward permanent residency in the United States? Contact us today. As one of the most experienced and successful Regional Centers in the industry, CMB Regional Centers has helped more than 6,500 families in their pursuit of permanent residency in the Untied States and returned more than $1.4 billion to investors.

*may be model-derived

Benefits of the EB-5 Program for Investors

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers foreign nationals the chance to invest in job-creating projects in the United States in exchange for a pathway to permanent residency (green card).

Since the program’s creation in 1990, EB-5 has proven to be a powerful tool for investors to secure a green card for themselves and their eligible family members. If you’re considering options for gaining permanent residency in the U.S., we’ve laid out some of the top benefits of the EB-5 program, for your consideration. 

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The most significant benefit and primary purpose of the EB-5 program is its direct pathway to U.S. permanent residency, commonly known as a green card. By making a qualifying investment in a U.S. business and meeting the program’s requirements, investors and their immediate family members (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) can obtain lawful permanent resident status. EB-5 allows investors and their families to live, work, and study anywhere in the U.S., without restriction, need for employer sponsorship, or the constraints of temporary visa options.

Opportunity for Dual Citizenship

The EB-5 program doesn’t require applicants to relinquish their home country citizenship. Many investors in the EB-5 program originate in countries with strict visa requirements or limited opportunities for global mobility. By becoming a permanent resident in the U.S., investors are able to pursue full American citizenship and take advantage of the benefits of dual citizenship, which may offer increased economic and political stability, along with access to opportunity for business and investment.

While pursuing full citizenship is optional, it’s a major benefit given citizenship comes with additional benefits and rights, such as the right to vote and the ability to sponsor parents and adult children over the age of 21 to join them in the United States.

Family-Centered Solution

The EB-5 program doesn’t just benefit the individual investors – it provides a family-focused solution for those wishing to bring a spouse and children under the age of 21 to the U.S. This family-centered approach to immigration is one of the key benefits of the program, as it provides a pathway for families to collectively enjoy the benefits of living in the U.S., including the right to work, without restriction for the investors and their families.

This benefit is particularly relevant for families that wish to take advantage of the top-tier educational opportunities in the U.S. Children of EB-5 investors are eligible for in-state tuition rates at U.S. colleges and universities, which can significantly reduce the cost of higher education compared to international student rates.

In conclusion, the EB-5 immigrant investor visa unlocks a spectrum of opportunities for foreign investors looking to gain permanent residency in the U.S. and secure a brighter future for their families. If you’d like to discuss how CMB Regional Centers is equipped to support you on your journey to permanent residency, contact us today.