President Trump announced a new immigration plan last week that seeks to increase high-skilled immigration, overhaul and limit asylum and the diversity visa (green card “lottery”) programs, and restrict family-based immigration. “This could create new immigration pathways for entrepreneurs, Silicon Valley tech companies, and professionals who need greater access to movement to have the freedom…
DetailsPresident Trump issued a memorandum aimed at placing new immigration restrictions on individuals who hold nonimmigrant (temporary stay) visas. The “Presidential Memorandum on Combating High Nonimmigrant Overstay Rates” orders the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to immediately take “all appropriate actions that are within the scope of their respective authorities to…
DetailsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently clarified that violating the federal controlled substance law, including violations involving marijuana, will make it difficult to establish a good moral character for the naturalization process. Marijuana can create other immigration difficulties as well. Founding partner Sophie Alcorn wrote about cannabis and immigration law last year. Even if…
DetailsAfter a seven-year wait, Israel citizens became eligible to apply for an E-2 visa at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv as of May 1. Both the E-1 Visa for Treaty Traders and the E-2 Visa for Treaty Investors are only available to citizens of countries with treaties of trade and commerce with the U.S.…
DetailsFounding partner Sophie Alcorn recently spoke about the current state of U.S. immigration—and the Mercury News published a story on what she had to say. At a program hosted by the Global Business Council of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, Sophie explained how immigration policies and procedures have impacted individuals and companies in Silicon…
DetailsEliminating work permits for H-4 visa holders would result in an annual loss of $1.9 billion in federal tax revenue and $530 million in state and local tax revenue, according to a recent study. Researchers Ike Brannon, a senior fellow at the Jack Kemp Foundation, and M. Kevin McGee, Professor Emeritus at the University of…
DetailsWe’re happy to introduce Caitlin Bohaboy, who joined the Alcorn Immigration Law team last year. At Alcorn, Caitlin works as an administrative assistant, helping to make sure that all of our clients’ cases and government correspondences are handled smoothly. She ensures that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hasn’t let anything slip through the cracks…
DetailsYes, both green card and visa holders can qualify for a mortgage in the U.S. Now that the spring home-buying season has begun, you should know what you need to qualify for a mortgage loan for your dream home. Requirements for non-U.S. citizens to qualify for a loan vary among lenders. However, all lenders require…
DetailsThe denial rate for initial H-1B petitions jumped to an unprecedented 32% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, according to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), which analyzed data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Since fiscal year 2009, the denial rate for initial H-1B petitions never exceeded…
DetailsThe U.S. Commerce Department could place limits on which companies can sponsor H-1B and O-1A visas. Commerce is evaluating designating artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other categories as “emerging technologies” that will be subject to export controls. That could pose challenges for tech startups founded by international entrepreneurs or those employing—or looking to employ—foreign talent. If…
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