“The chief business of the American people is business.”
These words were spoken by Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, in a speech given before American newspaper editors on January 17, 1925 in Washington, DC. Almost a century later, these words still hold their meaning for Americans, and hopefully for immigrants who would later become American citizens.
Though it may seem that dark clouds are floating above the landscape of American business, right now there are wonderful opportunities awaiting those willing and able to buy or build a business in the United States. Those dark clouds only mean rain and rain means growth. America has always rebounded from downturns -- history says it will do so again. Now, the time is especially right for value-wise business investments.
As a nation primarily made up of business people and entrepreneurs, new arrivals who offer needed capital, lively competition, and new ideas are always welcome. America is seeking the influx of new business citizens, because, as in the past, it needs immigrants to keep itself young, adventurous and a leader in the world of business.
Immigrants help American history repeat itself
Though America has a history full of many stories of astounding success from its immigrant citizens, the nation must have these success stories repeated again and again. Success stories keep American culture moving along, and these stories help keep the nation’s torch lit as the best land of opportunity in a world of competing nations. As an immigrant aspiring to do well in any land of business, you should seriously consider becoming another American success story yourself.
The Philippines and the United States have a treaty that allows Filipino investors to immigrate to the United States in order to purchase an existing business or start a new business. To enhance the international business opportunities between the two countries, the US offers what is called an “investor’s visa” or an E-2 visa. This offers an excellent opportunity to make your money work for you in a vibrant economy of change and opportunity. And it allows you to immigrate to the United States with your family, and perhaps even your key employees.
Opportunities abound
America is the land of opportunity and it presents many opportunities to fit your business sense or your business skills. Buying an existing business or franchise is advisable because you will have the benefit of purchasing a company that has an infrastructure that includes customers, suppliers, employees, equipment and systems. But, if you have any business opportunity in mind, knowledgeable sources are available to research the market and provide you with the details to ensure your success.
A broad array of well-known American franchise opportunities exist: AAMCO Transmissions, Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream, and Burger King are only a few of what’s available. The American service industry offers other options: Advertising, printing and publications, child care, computer services, food processing, real estate, shipping, dry cleaning or laundry, internet services, manufacturing, and the list goes on.
The best approach would be to obtain a business visa (B-1 visa) to visit the US and personally explore business opportunities. Assistance is available to help you obtain a B-1 visa. Professionals can guide you through the maze of buying a business. Before buying any business, you must have information regarding its past activities, its operations, its current status, the competition and the industry, and its future potential.
So many options are available for those who seek to invest and to succeed in business—to succeed in America. Work permits could become available for a spouse and children. Permits for fellow Filipinos who are crucial to your business success may be able to accompany you. Folks who can manage $60,000 to $500,000 for investment in a US business will find the Immigration Service happy to work with them and their business consultants.
Share the wealth, share the ideal
America is committed to helping business men and business women achieve their goals. To grow wealth is among America’s goals. Wealth offers an avenue to high hopes, to the reasons for being alive. Wealth grows the arts, higher learning, and aid for humanity as a whole.
Those hopes were finely voiced in the stament from a speech by President Coolidge mentioned above. He also said: “We make no concealment of the fact that we want wealth, but there are many other things that we want very much more. We want peace and honor, and that charity which is so strong a wealth of all civilization. The chief ideal of the American people is idealism.”
Immigrants excited about business opportunities are always welcomed and encouraged to share in the American wealth, and the American ideal.
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Lazaro Law Group, Professional Corporation represents immigrants all over the United States and US Embassy in Manila. The firm’s offices are located in San Francisco, Makati City (Philippines), and Fremont, Union City California. Telephone (415)278-9577. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Website: www.LazaroLaw.com.
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This article should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. This is not meant to create a lawyer-client relationship.
(Published November 12, 2010 Asian Journal Publications p. B2)
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