Angelo Paparelli Quoted in The New York Times on Investor Visa Refusals
"Main Business Is Shut Without a Renewed Visa"

Angelo Paparelli was quoted in The New York Times in an article, "Main Business Is Shut Without a Renewed Visa," published June 2, 2010. The article reported on a British couple who were approved for E-2 visa status and opened a restaurant in 2000. After nine years of running their business, and receiving period extensions of their visa status, they found out that the federal government would not renew their visa status, forcing them to shutter the restaurant and leave the country.

Angelo remarked, "This is the forgotten story of immigration. The headlines deal with Arizona and border crossings, but these are real people too. This is what happens when you play by the rules."

According to the article, E-2 visas allow citizens from countries with which the United States has certain trade and investment treaties to invest in businesses and work here. Once granted, E-2 status is generally extended every two years, but there is no limit on how many times they can be renewed.

Angelo explained that in recent years, E-2 holders were being foiled by a confluence of trends, including an increased vigilance by government officials after the September 11th attacks; a perception by officials that "evil people" may be using these visas fraudulently to get into the United States; a bureaucratic disinclination to take the time to examine applications by mom-and-pop operations; and immigration officers' perceptions that local economies already hurt by the recession and job losses could not sustain more business.