http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/312933-report-homeland-security-official-probed-over-visa-for-clintons-brothers-firmReport: Homeland Security official probed over questionable visa
By Jonathan Easley - 07/23/13 03:16 PM ET
President Obama’s pick for a top Department of Homeland Security (DHS) post is under investigation for allegedly helping a company run by one of Hillary Clinton’s brothers secure a questionable investment visa, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
The report said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas, who has been nominated as an interim replacement for departing DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, was cited in a DHS inspector general’s (IG) report for allegedly helping a Chinese executive get an international investment visa.
The Chinese executive works for McLean, Va.-based Gulf Coast Funds Management LLC, which is run by Anthony Rodham, Clinton’s brother.
The AP obtained “an email sent to lawmakers” from the inspector general on Monday night, which states that there have not yet been any “findings of criminal misconduct.”
The program in question, called EB-5, is overseen by the USCIS and allows foreign nationals to get a visa if they invest more than $500,000 in a venture that creates jobs for U.S. citizens.
According to the AP report, the application by Rodham’s company for an international visa was denied, as was an appeal, when Mayorkas allegedly helped facilitate its approval.
The AP reported that the IG investigation also “includes allegations that other USCIS Office of General Counsel officials obstructed an audit of the visa program by the Securities Exchange Commission.”
White House spokesman Jay Carney declined to comment on the investigation at a press conference on Tuesday, forwarding reporter questions to the DHS and USCIS.
