Why it Matters
Boris Shvarts just entered federal lobbying for the first time. The entrepreneur hired MO Strategies Inc. to push the controversial U.S. Gold Card Visa program. This marks his first-ever lobbying registration, joining a well-funded coalition of real estate and investment firms.
By the Numbers
Shvarts is using only external lobbying through MO Strategies. No spending amounts were disclosed in the September 26, 2025 filing. His lobbying team consists of two professionals: Martin Obst and Robert T. Goad. Both lobbyists lack congressional work experience but handle diverse client portfolios. MO Strategies represents major companies like Tencent America LLC and NextEra Energy Inc..
Broader Context
The Gold Card proposal aims to give wealthy foreigners permanent residency through significant investment. No formal legislation exists yet for this program. The idea emerged from broader discussions about investment-based immigration reform. Current visa programs face scrutiny over fraud and security concerns from lawmakers.
The Agenda
Shvarts seeks to “facilitate discussions” on the U.S. Gold Card Visa program. No specific bills target this issue currently. The lobbying appears focused on pre-legislative discussions with Congress and agencies. Immigration reform remains a priority area for various congressional committees.
Competitive Landscape
White Star Capital USA Inc. spent $75,000 in Q2 2025 on Gold Card lobbying. Arton Capital Inc. invested $20,000 across two quarters on the program. Real Estate Roundtable Inc. deployed over $2.1 million on EB-5 and Gold Card proposals. Lightstone Investments LLC spent $30,000 linking Gold Card to EB-5 reform.
Between The Lines
House Judiciary held a January 2025 hearing on visa integrity and security. Lawmakers emphasized fraud prevention and national security screening. Democratic opposition is fierce and public. Sen. Dick Durbin called it an “illegal $1,000,000 ‘gold card’ visa scheme.” Rep. Delia Ramirez accused Trump of “rigging the immigration system to work for billionaires.” Rep. Veronica Escobar raised security concerns in her “American Citizenship for Sale” newsletter.
The Bottom Line
Shvarts joins a crowded field of investment firms pushing wealthy investor visas. The program faces strong Democratic opposition and security concerns. Success will require building bipartisan coalitions and addressing fraud prevention issues. The pre-legislative stage means significant groundwork remains before any formal proposal.
All data used in this article came from Legis1. Request a demo to learn more!
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