Before I dive into this episode, I have exciting news to share: The Community for Global Innovation (CFGI), the nonprofit I co-founded with David Valverde Vargas has received 501(c)(3) status!
David, the founder of PRANOS.ai, and I formed CFGI last summer when the Trump administration was threatening to deport international students for taking online—rather than in-person—classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through CFGI, we sought to connect international students with innovative tech companies willing to sponsor talent for a visa or green card. Thank you to all who believe in our mission and support international students
Now, on the eve of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ inauguration, I want to discuss what immigration changes we might expect for immigration under this new administration in this episode of Immigration Law for Tech Startups.
In a news conference a few weeks ago, Biden stated he will introduce immigration legislation “immediately” after taking office, and that his Department of Justice will investigate the Trump administration’s family separation program at the southern border. While Biden did not offer details about the legislation, Harris recently said the administration will focus on granting green cards immediately to individuals protected by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). In addition, she states that adding immigration judges to decrease the backlogs in immigration courts and decreasing the time it takes to acquire U.S citizenship to eight years from the current 13 years by making the naturalization process more efficient are priorities for the administration.
In his campaign platform, Biden promised to undo Trump’s damage and reclaim American values. I am so thankful that he will overturn the inhumane and horrifying Trump policy of separating families at the border and detaining children. I include legal resources for children below.
A lot has happened during the past few weeks that will impact immigration and the Biden administration’s immigration plan:
- Trump extended the ban on H-1B, J-1, and L-1 visas through March 31.
- Democrats took narrow control of the U.S. Senate with the election of two Democrat Senators from Georgia.
- The Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule that will shift from a random H-1B lottery to a new wage-based H-1B allocation system from highest to lowest relative wage.
I am excited by the upcoming possibilities for immigration. Anything we can do to help an individual make a better life in the U.S. and follow her or his passion will be to the benefit of all of us.
Please share this episode with investors, companies, startup founders, or anyone who can benefit from it. Reach out to us. We can help you determine your best immigration options whether you’re in the U.S. or abroad.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- President-elect Biden’s six-point immigration program
- What the Georgia Senate wins for Democrats means for Biden’s legislative agenda for immigration
- What the Biden administration is planning within the first 100 days in office
- What the Biden administration’s silence on the new wage-based H-1B allocation may mean
- How the Biden administration might improve the green card process
- The new administration’s possible policy and legislative plans that will affect entrepreneurs and more broadly the tech industry
- The Biden administration’s plans for asylum policy and plans for the 11 million individuals in the U.S. who are undocumented
Don’t miss my upcoming conversations with top Silicon Valley venture capitalists, startup founders, professors, futurists, and thought leaders on Immigration Law for Tech Startups. Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or whatever your favorite platform is. As always, we welcome your rating and review of this podcast. We appreciate your feedback!
Resources:
Alcorn Immigration Law publications and courses:
64 Questions to Ask Your Immigration Attorney
Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook
Extraordinary Ability Bootcamp course for best practices for securing the O-1A visa, EB-1A green card, or the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card—the top options for startup founders. Use promotion code ILTS for 20% off the enrollment fee.
Legal representation for children detained at the border:
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic
Immigration Law for Tech Startups
Episode 43: What a Biden Victory Means for Immigration
Tech Crunch
“A pledge to unite international students and tech”
“Dear Sophie: What Does Biden’s Win Mean for Tech Immigration”
Also published on Medium.
