Background on the EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 visa program was established by Congress in 1990 to encourage foreign investment and job creation in the United States. Under the program, foreign nationals may qualify for lawful permanent residency by investing a minimum amount of capital—either $1.05 million, or $800,000 in designated employment areas—and creating at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
According to the book, individuals involved in promoting the EB-5 program later became linked to campaign finance investigations during the 1996 election cycle. Schweizer references Maria Hsia and John Huang, who were active in political fundraising at the time. A Senate investigation later concluded that Hsia had undisclosed ties to the Chinese government, while Huang pleaded guilty in 1999 to conspiracy charges related to campaign finance violations.
The book also revisits the case of James Riady, whose family business was connected to donation violations during the same era. Following those revelations, the Democratic Party returned more than $1 million in contributions associated with the controversy.
Campaign Finance Concerns Raised in the Book
Schweizer’s research suggests that the EB-5 program may have enabled permanent residents—who are legally permitted to donate to political campaigns—to act as intermediaries for foreign funds, which is prohibited under U.S. campaign finance law. The book cites the case of Danhong “Jean” Chen, an EB-5 visa facilitator whose business made political donations before she and her husband were charged with identity theft and visa fraud. Authorities later reported that Chen had left the country prior to her arrest.
The book also notes that a significant portion of EB-5 investors historically came from China, and that some marketing materials for EB-5 projects highlighted access to political figures, raising questions about ethics and transparency. Schweizer argues that these practices could pose national security and regulatory concerns.
Donations and Community Organizations
Schweizer also references campaign donations received during Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential primary campaign from individuals connected to New York City’s Chinatown area. Past reporting indicated that some donors lived in distressed housing conditions, prompting further scrutiny at the time.
The book states that investigators later examined whether community organizations had encouraged political contributions and whether some of those groups had links to organizations affiliated with China’s United Front Work Department, which Beijing uses for international outreach.
Broader Policy Questions
Schweizer raises questions about how China’s strict limits on outbound capital transfers—generally capped at $50,000 per year per citizen—coexisted with large EB-5 investments, suggesting enforcement gaps. He also notes concerns raised by critics regarding foreign participation in infrastructure projects connected to the program.
The author concludes that reforms may be necessary to ensure transparency, compliance with campaign finance laws, and national security safeguards.
Separate Congressional Action
In a separate development, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to advance two resolutions related to subpoenas issued to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of an investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s network and connections to public officials.
The subpoenas, issued by a subcommittee in July 2025, seek testimony related to whether federal agencies adequately pursued leads connected to Epstein’s activities. The investigation remains ongoing, and no findings have been announced.