Reporters barred from Kushner Companies' visa-for-investment event in China

[webfact]

Reporters barred from Kushner Companies' visa-for-investment event in China

By John Ruwitch

REUTERS

 

 

Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the President, arrives prior to U.S. President Donald Trump holding a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Organisers barred journalists on Sunday from a publicly advertised event in Shanghai that offered Chinese investors the chance to get U.S. immigrant visas if they put money in a real estate project linked to the family of President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

 

The two-tower luxury apartment complex in New Jersey, One Journal Square, is being developed by KABR Group and the Kushner Companies, which until recently was headed by senior White House advisor Jared Kushner, the husband of Trump's daughter Ivanka.

 

The developers are seeking to raise $150 million, or 15.4 percent of funding for the project, from investors through the EB-5 visa programme, according to marketing materials posted by the event's organiser, immigration agency Qiaowai.

 

The controversial EB-5 programme allows wealthy foreigners to, in effect, buy U.S. immigration visas for themselves and families by investing at least $500,000 in certain development projects.

 

"Sorry, this is a private event," said a man stopping journalists from entering a function room at the Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai.

 

Guests at the event said Kushner's sister, Nicole Kushner Meyer, spoke for about 10 minutes, including about her family's humble roots.

 

According to the New York Times, Meyer attended a similar event in Beijing on Saturday and told the audience of about 100 people the project "means a lot to me and my entire family".

 

Jared Kushner, whose White House portfolio includes relations with China, sold his stake in Kushner Companies to a family trust early this year.

 

"Mr. Kushner has no involvement in the operation of Kushner Companies and divested his interests in the One Journal Square project by selling them to a family trust that he, his wife, and his children are not beneficiaries of, a mechanism suggested by the Office of Government Ethics," his lawyer, Blake Roberts of WilmerHale law firm, said in a statement emailed to Reuters by the White House.

 

"As previously stated, he will recuse from particular matters concerning the EB-5 visa programme."

 

A Kushner Companies spokeswoman declined to comment in a New York Times article about the Beijing event published on Saturday.

 

The Times story said Meyer did not respond when asked if she was concerned about possible conflicts of interest facing her brother. Journalists from the Times and Washington Post were removed from Saturday's Beijing event, the newspapers reported.

 

POPULAR WITH WEALTHY CHINESE

 

One potential investor, Sophie Xing, said a "very important" factor in her decision to attend Sunday's event was the fact the project was a Kushner Companies investment and that Trump's son-in-law's sister would be in Shanghai.

 

"Actually I really don't know how close they are but I felt that this was a pretty good project," she said.

 

In a promotional text message seen by Reuters, Qiaowai made note of Meyer's relationship to Trump and called her the event's "heavyweight honoured guest".

 

Qiaowei representatives at the event declined to answer questions from journalists, and calls to its listed phone number went unanswered.

 

Qiaowei is also known as QWOS. Its promotional materials for the project, which it also calls Kushner1, advertise the prospect of putting money in under the federal EB-5 programme.

 

The programme is popular among wealthy Chinese looking to shift assets abroad or move overseas, but it has come under fire in the United States.

 

Some U.S. lawmakers have called for changing or abolishing the EB-5 programme, but the scheme was recently renewed by Congress until Sept. 30.

 

Potential investor Xing said a Kushner representative who spoke on Sunday stressed that EB-5 rules could change after September to raise the minimum required investment.

 

Another person who attended Sunday's event, Liu Guoqi, was mindful of the potential rule change. Liu said he had been to previous pitches for EB-5 investments but had concerns about the risks.

 

"The whole thing may change later this year so we feel that there isn't much time left," he said.

 

In the United States, the EB-5 programme has also sparked concerns about possible scams. Some immigrants have been burned by misrepresentations made about the programme by promoters, both inside and outside the United States. Many have lost not only their money but their chance at winning U.S. citizenship.

 

Trump has vowed to clamp down on illegal immigration.

 

In addition to Beijing and Shanghai, the road show for One Journal Square was scheduled to visit the Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Wuhan, according to Qiaowai's marketing materials online.

 

It calls the Kushner family a "famous real estate clan", and touts EB-5 immigration as "peace of mind".

 

Qiaowai's Chinese-language marketing material describes the project as "supported by the government, created by a star developer", and says the project is its 87th EB-5 programme.

 

(Editing by Tony Munroe and Alex Richardson)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-08

[TheFishman1]

When Obma left office him and his wife signed a book deal millions Trump not waiting to leave office his family will make billions 

[Jingthing]

Sleazeball trump KLEPTOCRACY has turned the USA into a Banana Republic, and quickly. 

I'm not sure the resistance can overcome this evil turn before the damage done to the American brand becomes PERMANENT.

Sad. 

[elgordo38]

For once I am absolutely speechless at this turn of events. 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, elgordo38 said:

For once I am absolutely speechless at this turn of events. 

Many of us feel speechless everyday watching 45.

But it's not as if he didn't make it clear what a totally corrupt con man clown he was in his previous life and campaign.

A lot of the blame sadly needs to go to Americans for electing him, even with a minority vote. Now the task is to try to stop the madness. 

[thaibeachlovers]

No surprise there. He'd have to be really stupid to let the fake news organisations in.

[ilostmypassword]

35 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

No surprise there. He'd have to be really stupid to let the fake news organisations in.

The fake news organizations who would report on what was actually said.

[Andaman Al]

I see in the photo, Kushner will do whatever it takes to please Daddy-in-Law and has become a member of the Ridiculously Long Tie Club, it would appear the Chinese factory is making the Trump Ties in Inches rather than centimetres.

 

The good thing about this story is that Kushner is laying the seeds for the earthquake that will rock through the entire Trump family when PEOTUS is eventually impeached and jailed for treason.

[sjbrownderby]

4 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

I see in the photo, Kushner will do whatever it takes to please Daddy-in-Law and has become a member of the Ridiculously Long Tie Club, it would appear the Chinese factory is making the Trump Ties in Inches rather than centimetres.

Yes, it's a very long tie because Donald Trump is holding onto the other end of it.

[Becker]

37 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

No surprise there. He'd have to be really stupid to let the fake news organisations in.

Yes, these evil organisations who stupidly try to report the facts when Dear Leader Trump so brilliantly has pointed out that it's the alternative facts that matter.

Repeat after me:

"Main stream is evil, main stream is evil, main stream is evil!"

 

[Andaman Al]

5 minutes ago, sjbrownderby said:

Yes, it's a very long tie because Donald Trump is holding onto the other end of it.

That's funny!    

[Morch]

47 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

I see in the photo, Kushner will do whatever it takes to please Daddy-in-Law and has become a member of the Ridiculously Long Tie Club, it would appear the Chinese factory is making the Trump Ties in Inches rather than centimetres.

 

The good thing about this story is that Kushner is laying the seeds for the earthquake that will rock through the entire Trump family when PEOTUS is eventually impeached and jailed for treason.

 

The long tie serves as a buffer in-case someone tries to pull the nose thump trick.

As for seeds and earthquakes, there's about a story a week crowned as the one who'll pull Trump down. Dunno that this one is more potent than others. Problem is that with all the sensationalism, drama and outright tell-me-he-just-didn't moments, public could get desensitized. For some, I think it turns out to be a bit of porn thing.

[thaibeachlovers]

As this thread is just another anti Trump rant I won't be back on it again. My silence does not mean that I agree with anything said.

[elgordo38]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Many of us feel speechless everyday watching 45.

But it's not as if he didn't make it clear what a totally corrupt con man clown he was in his previous life and campaign.

A lot of the blame sadly needs to go to Americans for electing him, even with a minority vote. Now the task is to try to stop the madness. 

Herculean task. 

[elgordo38]

It looks like Bannon seated beside Kushner. Part of the make nice deal??

[Andaman Al]

41 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

As this thread is just another anti Trump rant I won't be back on it again. My silence does not mean that I agree with anything said.

You said exactly the same thing in another thread. We get it, we don't need you to tell us in every thread. You are attention seeking. Trolling.

[ilostmypassword]

50 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

As this thread is just another anti Trump rant I won't be back on it again. My silence does not mean that I agree with anything said.

It's clear that saving face is not a phenomenon peculiar to Thai culture.

[55Jay]

So, what's the story here exactly? 

One Journal Square Approved by Planning Board

By Darrell Simmons

 

>November 11, 2015<

 

The Jersey City Planning Board voted unanimously last night to approve the new major site plan for One Journal Square presented by Kushner Companies and the KABR Group. The new plan consists of a 48 story residential tower on top of a 9 story base containing a mix of retail, office and parking for a total height of 57 stories.

 

https://jerseydigs.com/one-journal-square-approved-by-planning-board/

[klikster]

2 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

The good thing about this story is that Kushner is laying the seeds for the earthquake that will rock through the entire Trump family when PEOTUS is eventually impeached and jailed for treason.

Let's hope you are correct .. and that Trump is dumped sooner than later.

[Andaman Al]

1 hour ago, 55Jay said:

So, what's the story here exactly? 

One Journal Square Approved by Planning Board

By Darrell Simmons

 

>November 11, 2015<

 

The Jersey City Planning Board voted unanimously last night to approve the new major site plan for One Journal Square presented by Kushner Companies and the KABR Group. The new plan consists of a 48 story residential tower on top of a 9 story base containing a mix of retail, office and parking for a total height of 57 stories.

 

https://jerseydigs.com/one-journal-square-approved-by-planning-board/

WOW! Looks like the Kushner's have promised a lot of visa's to be awarded to Chinese investors if they are building that. Now can anyone remind me again. How can the Kushner's promise award of a US Visa?

[55Jay]

10 minutes ago, Andaman Al said:

WOW! Looks like the Kushner's have promised a lot of visa's to be awarded to Chinese investors if they are building that. Now can anyone remind me again. How can the Kushner's promise award of a US Visa?

Where did you find that Visas were promised?

 

It's an available program from the US Gov since 1992, in place through D and R Congresses and Presidents.  

 

From what I've read, that particular Visa program is quite popular with the Chinese Elites already, but some have said the 5 year wait to adjust status, is too long.  Boo Hoo.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5

 

 

[mogandave]

Thailand has investment visas as well, but the hypocrisy of Trump is amazing. Publicly he attacks the Chinese, all the while he's having his minions pander to them to for his own personal gain.

The sooner he's locked up the better!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[timendres]

I am not pro, or anti, Trump. I have hopes he can deliver some value as a president.

And, as others have pointed out, this Visa program has existed for some time for specific reasons.

That said, this does appear to be one of the bigger dumb things that Trump has allowed to transpire.

There is simply no good way to spin it (well, except possibly for the "10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers", but that is not really gonna fly very far).

He needs to up his game, or he'll be lame, and soon.

 

[Jingthing]

I am not pro, or anti, Trump. I have hopes he can deliver some value as a president.
And, as others have pointed out, this Visa program has existed for some time for specific reasons.
That said, this does appear to be one of the bigger dumb things that Trump has allowed to transpire.
There is simply no good way to spin it (well, except possibly for the "10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers", but that is not really gonna fly very far).
He needs to up his game, or he'll be lame, and soon.
 

Not enough evidence already about how bad trump is? Wow.

[Andaman Al]

1 hour ago, 55Jay said:

Where did you find that Visas were promised?

 

Washington Post:

 

Quote

Watchdogs and ethics experts on Saturday criticized the Beijing event as an attempt to cash in on Kushner’s newfound proximity to power.

“It’s incredibly stupid and highly inappropriate,” said Richard Painter, the former chief White House ethics lawyer in President George W. Bush’s administration, who has become a vocal critic of the Trump administration. “They clearly imply that the Kushners are going to make sure you get your visa. . . . They’re [Chinese applicants] not going to take a chance. Of course they’re going to want to invest.”

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-a-beijing-ballroom-kushner-family-flogs-500000-investor-visa-to-wealthy-chinese/2017/05/06/cf711e53-eb49-4f9a-8dea-3cd836fcf287_story.html?utm_term=.ce97158b0d53

 

[55Jay]

8 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

 

Washington Post:

 

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-a-beijing-ballroom-kushner-family-flogs-500000-investor-visa-to-wealthy-chinese/2017/05/06/cf711e53-eb49-4f9a-8dea-3cd836fcf287_story.html?utm_term=.ce97158b0d53

 

Thanks, Al.  Yes, reads the same as all the other usual suspects, although that quote from GW's former ethics lawyer in your link was good, and spot on.  

 

Mentioning possible, upcoming changes to the visa program, and that timely investment may result in grandfathering under existing rules is also not a promise, but a reasonable possibility given how governments operate. 

 

The Chinese know about this Visa program, probably more than this Kushner ding dong does.  IMO, this lady embarrassed herself up there on that stage and will $uffer accordingly, but IMO, there is no ACTUAL wrong doing, or the realistic prospect of any.  JMO, happy to be corrected in the future.

[Fulwell53]

I expect some time in the future that in exchange for being allowed to build hotels, casinos and golf courses in north korea, trump will allow that heed the ball in charge to get on with things.

Not one one to allow good policy and humanity to get in the way of making a buck is donald.

Jared will be on his way to do dad's bidding very soon.

In the annals of US history and politics DT will prove to be one of the most corrupt and self serving presidents ever elected. 

[mike324]

As much as I dislike Trump, I don't see the point of blaming Trump. The program has been around a while, what his family is doing is nothing illegal - its just business. Its a private event so don't see why they need to let in reporters. There are bigger things to go after Trump with.  

[mtls2005]

It is difficult for Chinese nationals to get $500,000 out.

 

The EB-5 Visa program has been co-opted, shocker, from it's original intent.

 

Congress, both sides, have wanted to reign in this program.

 

There was some talk of raising the minimum to $1.0 million, but the $500k min has been retained.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/us/politics/kushner-china-visa-eb-5.html

 

[timendres]

14 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Not enough evidence already about how bad trump is? Wow.

So far I like him.

He kept Hillary from becoming POTUS - a blessing.

Anyone who can cause nationwide protests and come to loggerheads with his own party impresses me.

But he will need to actually accomplish something before I conclude he has done something positive for the US.

He has only been in office a few months. He needs time to accomplish anything.

Assuming he can focus on the job, not his ego, long enough to do it.