By Sophie Alcorn and Andee Gardiner Alcorn Immigration Law and Founders Embassy have many things in common. Our companies share a startup story that began with the vision and drive of women founders. Both strive to erase borders and share a passion for helping international and immigrant startup founders succeed. Alcorn helps international entrepreneurs…
DetailsThe bipartisan appropriations measure approved in February brought mixed news for both individuals seeking to come to the U.S. and companies looking to employ them. Here are the immigration programs impacted by the latest appropriations measure. VAWA Green Cards Congressional Democrats let the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) lapse. They plan to expand the…
DetailsNBC News interviewed Alcorn Partner Mary Grilli Jacobs for a story on international entrepreneurs, innovation, and immigration options. Mary heads up our practice group for business immigration law. She pointed out the U.S. doesn’t have a startup visa for foreign-born entrepreneurs seeking to launch or grow their startups here. That leaves many startup founders at…
DetailsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has submitted its long-anticipated proposal to eliminate work permits for H-4 visa holders to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. That move marks the first step in the process of rescinding the H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) program. Details of the proposal, including whether…
DetailsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has resumed premium processing for all H-1B petitions. However, USCIS will delay premium processing handling for H-1B petitions submitted for this year’s lottery, which opens on April 1. Two Tracks for Premium Processing This year, only H-1B petitioners who are subject to the lottery and are requesting a…
DetailsTax Day—April 15—is fast approaching. Even if you’re not a U.S. citizen, you must file a tax return if you’re considered a “resident alien” for tax purposes. Like U.S. immigration law, U.S. tax law is complicated. We only practice U.S. immigration law, so this consists of a compilation of information from the Internal Revenue Service…
DetailsRestricting international student participation in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program would have big consequences for the U.S. economy, according to a study by the Business Roundtable. The Trump administration’s efforts to place restrictions on international students and the OPT program prompted the Business Roundtable to assess the program’s impact on the U.S. economy. The Business Roundtable—a group of CEOs…
DetailsA survey of 12 countries by the Pew Research Center found strong public support to welcome immigrants into their country including in the U.S., but only if they are highly skilled. The results of this survey, which the nonpartisan think tank conducted last spring, indicates the support for merit-based immigration in the U.S. Who…
DetailsLegislation introduced in the House and Senate this month would eliminate the seven percent per-country limit on employment-based green cards. Called the “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act,” the joint legislation also increases the per-country cap for family-sponsored green cards from seven to 15 percent. Rep. Zoe Lofgren and 113 other representatives from both parties sponsored…
DetailsThe Alcorn Immigration Law team’s H-1B season began in December. Since then, we’ve been working with employers preparing H-1B visa applications for the April lottery. Given the increased scrutiny, requests for evidence (RFEs), and denials these applications face, employers and H-1B candidates should focus on assembling the strongest petition they can. Delays, uncertainty about visa…
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