DHS Security Information, Notes, Research, Or Other Matters Concerning Political Fugitives, Most Wanted Individuals, Or Relatives Of Such Using The EB-5 Program
It is a clone of this request.
Tracking # |
2018-HQFO-00279, 2018-HQFO-00477 |
Submitted | Nov. 24, 2017 |
Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Taylor Scott Amarel
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
To whom this may concern,
I am seeking all records within the DHS that relate to Political Fugitives, Most Wanted Individuals, or relatives of such individuals using/investing in the EB-5 Program. These documents are known to exist because members of congress, other federal agencies, and former officers of the USCIS/DHS have admitted that a number of "most wanted" individuals have invested through the EB-5 program. These individuals are often on China's 100 most wanted list, are related to one of the most wanted individuals, or have political/business connections to those who are wanted for political persecution and or crimes - such as embezzling government funds, corruption, etc.
As a specific instance, there is evidence within the USCIS that relatives (at least Bo Guagua and Li Wangzhi) of Bo Xilai, Former Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, have used the EB-5 program to invest in a unspecified New York based EB-5 project that may be located near or adjacent to Columbia University. This is just one instance of high level, potentially wanted, individuals with often dangerous backgrounds may be utilizing the EB-5 program to obtain citizenship and residence within the US. I would like to obtain all records, memos, notices, and other documents pertaining to the acknowledgement of these types of individuals filing EB-5 petitions, any special instructions given to EB-5 adjudicators, whether or not additional background research is done on these individuals, and whether the USCIS enlists the help of additional law enforcement agencies to vet these unusual applicants.
Once again, these documents are known to exist, and may be in the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate office, or an inter-agency working groups that may consist of the SEC, USCIS, DHS, HSI, etc. As further proof that these records exist, when the FBI raided a fake investment company in California, it was discovered that numerous "most wanted" individuals had obtained residence and even citizenship through a fake investment scheme discussed here: http://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2085287/scheme-wealthy-chinese-get-us-visas-busted
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Taylor Scott Amarel
From: Department of Homeland Security
Good Morning, Attached is our final response to your request. If you need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at 866-431-0486. Thank you! Regards, DHS Privacy Office Disclosure & FOIA Program
STOP 0655
Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20528-0655
Telephone: 1-866-431-0486 or 202-343-1743
Fax: 202-343-4011
Visit our FOIA website
From: Department of Homeland Security
Good morning Mr.Amarel,
Hope you are well. We have received your FOIA requests and are working on them at the moment. Just wanted to let you know that we are combining your requests into one. Also wanted to ask if you would be up for shortening your timeframe to 2017- to the present, as we have a very large backlog. Please let me know soon.
Best,
Nida Habib | FOIA Analyst | eGlobalTech (Contractor)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Privacy Office
(202) 343-1743
nida.habib@associates.hq.dhs.gov<mailto:nida.habib@associates.hq.dhs.gov>
This is covered by federal and state law governing electronic communications and may contain confidential and legally privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, use or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please reply immediately to the sender and delete this message. Thank you.
[Homeland Seal]
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From: Department of Homeland Security
Good Morning,
Attached is our acknowledgment of your DHS FOIA request. If you need to contact this office again concerning your request, please provide the DHS reference number. This will enable us to quickly retrieve the information you are seeking and reduce our response time. This office can be reached at 866-431-0486.
Regards,
DHS Privacy Office Disclosure & FOIA Program
STOP 0655
Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20528-0655
Telephone: 1-866-431-0486 or 202-343-1743
Fax: 202-343-4011
Visit our
FOIA website (http://www.dhs.gov/foia)
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