{{Firstname|Good morning}}, this week we unpack President Trump’s mixed message on skilled immigration, praising H1B workers while pushing six-figure visa fees that could shake the tech industry and redirect global talent. We examine the reopening of the U.S. government and what the short funding window means for investors and project leaders. And we turn to Mexico, where Gen Z protesters have taken to the streets demanding justice and accountability, testing the new administration’s ability to listen before unrest deepens.

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President Trump recently stated that the United States needs skilled foreign workers. Yet his team has also advanced new restrictions that make the H1B program more expensive and uncertain. One proposal would require a one-hundred-thousand-dollar payment for each petition. Officials call it a measure to protect American jobs.

The message is mixed. Employers and universities trying to recruit international talent now face unpredictable costs and timelines. For cross-border investors, this means it is time to diversify pathways for both people and capital.

That is where the EB5 program becomes strategic. Although EB5 focuses on investment and job creation rather than employment visas, it connects growth, mobility, and opportunity. A recent court decision paused the 2024 fee increases, making entry more accessible again.

For companies building capacity in areas like clean energy, semiconductors, logistics, and digital services, the right approach is a combination of both programs. Use H1B for specialized roles. Use EB5 to attract foreign capital and expand American jobs. At Intermestic Capital, we align investment strategy with workforce and supply chain needs so that our partners stay resilient in times of policy change.

The takeaway is clear. The United States still wants talent and capital, but planning now requires flexibility and foresight. Those who design smart structures today will lead tomorrow.

After forty-three days, the federal government has reopened. Funding is in place through the end of January. Services are restarting, paychecks are flowing, and permit reviews are resuming. The sense of relief is real, but temporary.

The deeper political disputes have only been postponed. That means the next eight weeks are a window of opportunity and a test of discipline.

Opportunity: This is the moment to move fast. Clear pending invoices, file grant paperwork, and secure agency approvals while everything is operating normally.

Risk: The effects of the shutdown will linger. Many offices are still understaffed, data backlogs are high, and procurement processes may remain uneven. Any business or project that depends on federal coordination should assume continued delays and plan accordingly.

Treat this reopening as an operational runway, not a signal of fiscal stability. Secure bridge capital, finalize permits, and maintain flexibility so your work continues even if political negotiations falter again in January. The United States remains the strongest market in the world. Those who act during calm periods will outperform those who wait for certainty.

On Saturday, thousands of young protesters filled streets across Mexico following the assassination of a city mayor and growing anger about violence and impunity. In Mexico City, near the National Palace, clashes left more than one hundred injured and at least twenty arrested.

The youth groups behind the marches describe themselves as nonpartisan and anticorruption. Government voices have questioned their motives and even suggested the protests were staged or paid. But that misses the point. What matters is the visible frustration of an entire generation that feels ignored.

History offers a clear lesson. Governments that dismiss early signs of social unrest lose credibility and control. Public discontent, when left unaddressed, turns into instability.

From an investor’s perspective, this is a signal to pay attention. Ignoring discontent can slow permitting, undermine security cooperation, and raise the cost of capital. For Mexico, the opportunity is to engage now and rebuild trust before that risk grows.

Recommendations:

Listening and responding builds confidence. Silence increases volatility. The time to act is now.

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