Top DHS Official Accused of Immigration Favoritism
On paper, the EB-5 immigration program sounds like a huge benefit for the nation’s economy. The program fast-tracks green cards for foreign investors who put at least half a million dollars into a venture in the U.S. that will create jobs. But in practice, the program is riddled with corruption that favors businesses with ties to Democrat politicians – all thanks to Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This is the finding of a two-and-a-half year investigation by DHS’s Inspector General. “The juxtaposition of Mr. Mayorkas’ communication with external stakeholders on specific matters outside the normal procedures, coupled with favorable action that deviated from the regulatory scheme designed to ensure fairness and evenhandedness in adjudicating benefits, created an appearance of favoritism and special access,” the report concludes. Mayorkas meddled in at least three cases. In one instance, he became personally involved when a Mexican investor wanted a green card to invest in a Las Vegas casino Sen. Harry Reid had touted. And this is where the corruption starts to stink even further. Mayorkas was under this investigation, heading the EB-5 program, when Barack Obama nominated him for his present deputy spot. It was Reid who rammed through Mayorkas’ nomination using none other than the nuclear option. But they say you can trust Democrats. More…