He said, " It doesn't matter if you're black, white, man, woman, immigrant or native, all you need to invest in real-estate is DESIRE!"

Immigration, in large part, is why the US continues to see an increase. 

Maybe some immigrants.

He has continuously lied about the time frames of his "visitors", one I think is actually an illegal immigrant from Canada, has told many stories that just don't add up... and now I find out he's an ex-felon.  

that's the thing I'm actually extremely interested in, as I have a vast network of door-2-door salesmen, self-employed people and immigrants who make a ton of money but because of the nature of their work and situation can't get homes.Thank you

According to this source, New York City prohibits you from even asking about your potential tenants' status - http://www.nolo.com/legal-update/california-landlords-ask-immigration-citizenship-29214.html

Kerwin,This doesn't go specifically to your question, but I recently did a lot of research on a program called the EB5 Immigrant visa.

Unfortunately, they are immigrants and don't feel comfortable paying rent other than putting the cash in my hand.

An uncle of a close friend of mine has two duplexes that he is currently renting out and the only applicants he can ever get are the possibly illegal immigrant kind.

This is also born out by some very good friends in my life whose parents were first generation, non white, dirt poor immigrants that went on to do very well in life for themselves.