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The Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence Coalition (Global EIR) has named Sophie Alcorn to its Legal Advisory Committee. Global EIR is a nonprofit network of entrepreneurs, investors, and universities. Established in 2015, the organization helps international entrepreneurs remain and build their companies in the U.S. Global EIR partners international founders with universities, mentors, investors, and cities. That partnership…

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May92017

New Federal Budget Is Mixed Bag for Immigration

ImmigrationBy Sophie Alcorn May 9, 2017 Leave a comment

President Trump signed the nearly $1.2 trillion spending bill approved by Congress last week that keeps the federal government running for the remainder of the 2017 fiscal year, ending on Sept. 30. The new budget largely overlooks spending for most of Trump’s anti-immigration proposals and stepped-up enforcement measures. Still, the new federal budget contains both good…

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Apr252017

H-1Bs Still Available Despite Trump’s “Hire American” Order Seeking H-1B Reform

H-1BBy Sophie Alcorn April 25, 2017 Leave a comment

We are still helping companies and candidates obtain H-1B visas despite recent presidential administrative actions seeking H-1B reform. President Trump signed an executive order last week calling for H-1B visas to be awarded to “the most-skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries.” The “Buy American and Hire American” order directs the agencies involved with the H-1B visa…

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Apr182017

Computer Programming Not an H-1B Specialty Occupation

H-1BBy Sophie Alcorn April 18, 2017 Leave a comment

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…

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Apr132017

USCIS to Crackdown on H-1B Violations

H-1BBy Sophie Alcorn April 13, 2017 Leave a comment

U.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…

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Mar232017

Can I Get an H-1B as a Startup Founder?

H-1BBy Sophie Alcorn March 23, 2017 Leave a comment

I 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…

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Mar62017

What Should You Do in the Face of Trump’s Revised Travel Ban?

ImmigrationBy Sophie Alcorn March 6, 2017 Leave a comment

President 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…

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Mar42017

Premium Processing Suspended for H-1B Petitions

ImmigrationBy Sophie Alcorn March 4, 2017 Leave a comment

The 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…

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Mar32017

What Is Merit-Based Immigration? What Might It Mean for Silicon Valley?

ImmigrationBy Sophie Alcorn March 3, 2017 Leave a comment

In 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…

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Mar32017

Immigration Lawyer Sophie Alcorn Named Outstanding Young Business Person

ImmigrationBy Alcorn Immigration Law March 3, 2017 Leave a comment

The 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…

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Sophie Alcorn Named to Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence Advisory Committee

New Federal Budget Is Mixed Bag for Immigration

H-1Bs Still Available Despite Trump’s “Hire American” Order Seeking H-1B Reform

Computer Programming Not an H-1B Specialty Occupation

USCIS to Crackdown on H-1B Violations

Can I Get an H-1B as a Startup Founder?

What Should You Do in the Face of Trump’s Revised Travel Ban?

Premium Processing Suspended for H-1B Petitions

What Is Merit-Based Immigration? What Might It Mean for Silicon Valley?

Immigration Lawyer Sophie Alcorn Named Outstanding Young Business Person

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