With Caveats, Jackley Says Troubled EB-5 Program Could Be Tool for South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS — It’s occupied a lot of his office’s time, but despite its problems, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the federal EB-5 economic development program could play a role in the state’s future.

But he has some caveats.

“I think EB-5 has a place and can be successful if, I think, the federal authorities need to make some revisions and improvements and puts some limits on it,” Jackley said.

Jackley shares the arbitrator’s concern in the Darley case where the State of South Dakota was sued about who was really profiting from the program. It was lawyers, Jackley said, who “made an extreme profit off of this.”

The Attorney General also says the country needs to look at whether green cards for investments that creates jobs is in the nation’s best interest.

“We’re going on a national debate right now on what’s right for immigration,” Jackley said. “And I think one of the concerns expressed is just because you are creating jobs doesn’t necessarily mean you ought to get that visa, so to speak.”

Jackley made his comments Thursday on KSOO-AM’s Viewpoint University call-in program.

Click here to listen to KSOO's Rick Knobe and Todd Epp interview AG Jackely on EB-5's problems and future.