I work in marketing and started off offering services in every niche imaginable --- travel, software, financial, one client was a passport consultant for immigrants (ugh...). 

Anyone with a student visa has been background checked by US Immigration-no idea what that is worth.

Certain immigrants mind their Ps and Qs too.

The bank might balk, but it will take them a day or two.If you are permitted in Florida, put your EMD in trust with your solicitor or title company.Not a *real* solution, but it would get you a little further down the road.

While we have a shortage of housing today, that can change as immigration policies change.

My grandparents and father were in a similar situation being immigrants from Haiti.

I come from a family of immigrants who have had it 1000x harder than people here, even single moms.

I also resonate with what you said about the philanthropy around, I come from 3 years of non-profit work working with immigrant youth and realized how much money is around for different efforts, I’ve heard friends calling Pittsburgh the Silicon Valley of Non-profits (it might be an exaggeration) Compared to a lot of places in the country you can have a decent lifestyle here with lower overhead and more control of your time. 

Meanwhile, an immigrant from Ghana shows up with $9 in his pocket and broken English and he's somehow able to buy six investment properties in ten years?

He immigrated here but is still trying to convince the rest of his family to get out.