The 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…
DetailsAs the deadline for the H-1B lottery approaches, both the Trump administration and federal lawmakers are making moves to reform the oversubscribed H-1B visa program. Highly Coveted The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to employ workers in occupations that require special expertise in fields, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services…
DetailsJudge Ann Donnelly of the Eastern District of New York issued an order temporarily prohibiting the enforcement of Trump’s Executive Order banning visa holders from seven Muslim countries from entering the United States. You can read the ACLU’s motion and the judge’s order of the temporary stay at Mother Jones. This ruling will be in effect…
DetailsImmigration Attorney Sophie Alcorn explains why Trump’s Executive Order banning visa holders, lawful permanent residents, and refugees, is a bad idea. This order applies to people who who hold passports from the countries of Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq and Sudan. President Trump’s executive order is a thinly veiled effort to ban and scapegoat…
DetailsTwo draft executive orders by the Trump Administration will end some of the key immigration reforms of the Obama Administration. The draft orders, copies of which were obtained and originally reported by Vox, also place more restrictions on legal immigration. Wide-Ranging Changes The draft order, titled “Protecting American Jobs and Workers by Strengthening the Integrity…
DetailsWatch Sophie’s video to learn all about the newly final International Entrepreneur Rule, a wonderful parting gift to Silicon Valley from President Obama’s administration. Now startup founders are eligible for International Entrepreneur Parole, a U.S. immigration status. Here are the top five things startup founders should know: This rule provides an immigration status for startup…
DetailsNew regulations for the EB-5 visa program may be coming in the new year. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted proposed changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The proposed changes aim to streamline and increase the predictability and transparency of the EB-5 visa…
DetailsFor the second time in three months, Congress passed legislation that keeps the EB-5 Regional Center Program running through April 28, 2017. The EB-5 Regional Center visa program allows a foreign national and her or his family to get green cards by investing $1 million in a regional center that creates at least 10 full-time…
DetailsWatch Sophie’s video to learn all about Matter of Dhanasar, a new case from the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office that redefines the standard for EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waivers), making it easier for entrepreneurs to get green cards. This is it… a startup green card! Merry Christmas, Silicon Valley!
