If patience is a virtue, then Fernando* and his employer have it in spades. Originally from Bolivia, Fernando started working in 2017 on an F-1 OPT (Optional Practical Training) status as a graphic designer for a Bay Area startup. Fernando quickly became a valued member of the company’s team. With Fernando’s work authorization set to…
DetailsWe get that question frequently from both individuals and employers, so here’s a quick rundown of what you should know. U.S. immigration law caps the number of green cards issued per year for employment-based categories at 140,000 and for family-based categories at 226,000. Each green card category is subject to a quota not only on…
DetailsYesterday President Trump suggested he might have plans to provide a path to citizenship for H-1B visa holders. Tech employees, young entrepreneurs, startups, and the U.S. economy stand to benefit if this pathway comes to fruition. “H1-B holders in the United States can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity…
DetailsBy Alcorn Immigration Law Founding attorney Sophie Alcorn knows that immigration causes innovation. That tenet is behind all that she does. Sophie recently talked with Asli Gozoren, a partner at SAYJ Global Partners, about what foreign startups and entrepreneurs should know about the current state of immigration. Sophie discusses everything from the impact of the…
DetailsWe start gearing up in December with clients for the annual H-1B lottery in April. With U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issuing more Requests for Evidence (RFEs), it’s now more important than ever to get started with preparing an H-1B petition. The Alcorn Immigration Law team continues to win H-1B visas for our clients…
DetailsWe’re pleased to announce the promotion of Nina Heckova to senior paralegal at Alcorn Immigration Law. Nina joined the team as a legal secretary in January 2017. In her new role, Nina will assist the attorneys with drafting complex applications and petitions, meeting with clients, and managing cases to minimize delays. She knows how it…
DetailsThis year I had the opportunity to participate in the Aspen Institute Socrates Seminar on immigration. I’m thankful for the experience. This was an amazing opportunity that challenged me to think in new ways about a field that I am deeply familiar with and passionate about. I was fortunate to meet immigration leaders from across…
DetailsMedical and recreational use of marijuana is legal in California and Canada, but its use remains illegal under U.S. federal law. Immigration law is enforced at the federal level. Given that, if you want to immigrate to the United States, you should be very cautious about any marijuana use or connection to marijuana anywhere in…
DetailsNew data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shows denials for all immigration benefits have increased sharply during the past year. Nevertheless, the Alcorn Immigration Law team has maintained its more than 95 percent client success rate. Denial rates for all immigration petitions during the first nine months of fiscal year 2018 (October 2017…
DetailsReps. Anna Eshoo of Palo Alto and Zoe Lofgren of San Jose introduced legislation last week that retains work authorization for H-4 visa holders. Called the H-4 Employment Protection Act, the bill prohibits the Trump administration from revoking the 2015 rule that enabled H-4 visas holders waiting for green cards to obtain employment authorization documents…
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