Whistleblower Calls Out Visa Program for Wealthy Foreigners

Whistleblower Calls Out Visa Program for Wealthy Foreigners

Taylor Johnson came forward with critical comments regarding a program known as EB-5

  • By Matt Holden
  • Jun 12, 2015

Senior Special Agent Taylor Johnson announced that her Homeland Security investigation has uncovered visa applicants from multiple countries who had been approved in as little as 16 days, even though their applications “lacked basic necessary law enforcement” screening.

According to a report, this security weakness stems from a program known as EB-5, which lets foreigners acquire Green Card for investing $500,000 in approved American ventures. Designed to create jobs, the program is now being used by those who hope to skip the traditional immigration process.

“During the course of my investigation it became very clear that the EB-5 program has serious security challenges,” said Johnson.

Johnson came forward as part of a U.S. Senate Hearing after having those in her division order her to stop pursuing the story.

“After disclosing gross mismanagement, waste and fraud that threatened the general public’s safety, National Security Risks and public corruption surrounding an EB-5 project, I was subjected to a significant amount of harassment and retaliation,” Johnson said.

“The Department of Homeland Security takes whistleblower protection very seriously and supports the rights of whistleblowers to engage in protected activity,” said Marsha Catron, a DHS spokeswoman. “Similarly, the Department takes allegations of misconduct very seriously ... When both an allegation of misconduct and a claim of whistleblower protection occur; the Department follows the law to resolve these issues appropriately.”

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

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