U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memo stating that computer programming is not considered an H-1B “specialty occupation.” The H-1B visa allows U.S employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. A “specialty occupation” requires “theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge.” A specialty occupation also requires “a bachelor’s or…
DetailsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week new efforts to crackdown on H-1B violations and abuse. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when faced with a shortage of qualified workers in the U.S. In recent years, the H-1B visa program has come under fire for reducing wages…
DetailsI frequently get asked this question by aspiring entrepreneurs. The short answer is, yes. If the Alcorn Immigration Law team sets you up properly for success, you can get an H-1B as a startup founder. However, if you have an H-1B from a company other than your intended startup, you would face restrictions regarding your…
DetailsPresident Trump signed a new executive order reviving the travel ban. The new ban applies to individuals from the Muslim-majority countries of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The new ban omits Iraq, which was listed in the first ban, and goes into effect next Thursday, March 16. In announcing the effective date, the…
DetailsThe U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions submitted on or after April 3. The highly coveted H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to employ highly skilled workers. H-1B visas are in high demand from Bay Area tech companies seeking software engineers, biotech scientists, and other skilled…
DetailsIn his first address to Congress, President Trump called for shifting the U.S. to a merit-based immigration system from the current family-based system. The family-based system prioritizes admitting immigrants with relatives in the U.S. willing to sponsor the family member. Trump praised Canada and Australia’s merit-based systems during his address. He said the current system…
DetailsThe Mountain View Chamber of Commerce selected immigration lawyer Sophie Alcorn as this year’s Celebration of Leaders Outstanding Young Business Person. Every year, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce acknowledges individuals, companies, and organizations for their exceptional contributions and service. Immigration Law Expert Alcorn founded Alcorn Immigration Law in Mountain View, California, in 2015. An…
DetailsMany immigrants and employers of immigrants—even legal ones—are living in fear. But you don’t have to. At Alcorn Immigration Law, we protect our clients’ rights by taking action. My staff and I are monitoring all immigration developments. We stand ready to take action and do everything possible for you, your employees, your family, or your…
DetailsThe Trump administration put a freeze on all new and pending regulations, including the International Entrepreneur Rule, the Obama Administration’s creative substitute for a startup visa. Last week’s freeze was expected. Typically, new administrations taking over from the other party halt new and pending regulations to review them before they’re finalized. Regulatory Process Before…
DetailsPresident Trump’s executive order banning nationals from seven predominantly-Muslim countries have prompted confusion and fear. Several reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested, detained or deported individuals and are possibly planning raids have profoundly added to that confusion and fear. Here are the eight most important steps to protect yourself from being arrested and…
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