Pay to stay: Visa program offers green cards to immigrants -- for a price

This is a good plan, let's hope more take advantage of it. These people have to start a business or invest in one that is struggling or in an area with high unemployment. Certainly a win-win. Other countries do this with much success. - - Donna Poisl

By Matt O'Brien, Contra Costa Times

OAKLAND -- In bustling Oakland Chinatown, an office full of empty cubicles sits ready to greet executives -- all of them newly arrived immigrants who have paid as much as $500,000 for the privilege of living here.

Blocks away at Jack London Square, local developers have transformed a harbormaster building into a meeting place where they hope to channel foreign investments into new hotel construction.

In Napa and Sonoma counties, another venture hopes to woo would-be investors with wine tours, and convince them to buy some vineyards in the process.
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