Chapter 22: Marco Lopez: EB-5 Residency Approvals Could Drop to Under Four Months
In Chapter 22 of our interview series, Michael Gibson speaks with Marco Lopez, Managing Partner of Intermestic Capital, about EB-5 processing times for the EVelution Energy cobalt project in Arizona.
According to Lopez, EB-5 investors could expect residency approvals in under 7 months due to the project’s location in a rural/high unemployment area. With the added benefit of a national security designation, those processing times could fall to under 4 months.
“With this added layer of national security interest, I think that knocks it down to under four months.” – Marco Lopez
Lopez emphasized why the project has received strong support from U.S. Senators, local mayors, and federal stakeholders alike.
Evelution Energy Interview Chapter 22
Michael Gibson, USAdvisors, interviews Marco Lopez, Managing Partner, Intermestic Capital
Transcript
EVelution Energy Interview Chapter 22 Transcript
Michael Gibson, Managing Director of US Advisors (USAdvisors.org) an independent Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Michael also owns and runs EB-5 Investments (eb5projects.com) and is an EB5 industry expert.
Marco Lopez, Managing Partner, Intermestic Capital
Sergio Chavez-Moreno, Operating Partner Intermestic Capital
Dennis Cunningham, Operating Partner Intermestic Capital, President EB5 Horizon
Michael Gibson, speaking
So, Marco to pick up from where Dennis left off. For viewers who may not be familiar with processing times, and you were, you were in the heart of that world. You know in your past life in the government. Can you explain, on average, what do you think the processing times could look like without the expedite? And then perhaps, if you do get the expedite, what that may change to?
Marco Lopez, speaking
Yeah, so look, quite simply with without the expedite, because it's in rural Arizona, and a designated High Unemployment Area as well, we would be seeing a return in getting their residency in under seven months. Seven months. Cap let's, let's say. With this added layer of national security interest, I think that knocks it down to under four months.
Michael Gibson, speaking
So you're saying that it, theoretically, again the government being the government, you never know processing times. It could it could be here, one month could be there. Especially if they do, as they, as some people fear, they may shorten the staffing at Homeland Security. We don't know. But, based on current estimates right now, you're saying that the processing time may go down by as much as half.
Marco Lopez, speaking
Absolutely. I think there's no doubt in my mind that once we have that national security interest confirmed. Because if, if you know how that works, is they don't you're, you're, you're good until you're not good. So your your project is confirmed until otherwise notified. And so we expect not to be notified that we're not a national interest project. And if that's the case, we expect that those, that processing would, would be done in under four months. Obviously I'm not Donald Trump, as you can tell. But, I think that he will have people at Homeland Security and USCIS, especially in projects that fulfill his vision of creating jobs in America.
Michael Gibson, speaking
He may actually, he may actually add staff to to increase the processing.
Marco Lopez, speaking
That's correct. That's what we believe, it is likely to be the scenario, that occurs. Because you're creating good old American jobs in an area that needs them, wants them, and, and is embracing this project.
Michael Gibson, speaking
And if his best friends, is all his tech bros, and all of his best friends are manu... they need it in, in manufacturing industries. Like Tesla, and, and whoever, the DOD, they need cobalt. They need processed cobalt. And if there's a plant in the United States that's making it, manufacturing. I could see a tremendous amount of interest to get those applications processed.
Marco Lopez, speaking
No doubt. And, and I think that, that's the case, and that's the point that we're making to the Administration. And why EVelution has been so supported by all of these government officials. As I mentioned before, from our US Senators down to our local Mayors. Because of the importance that this project represents.