Bad news for startup founders. The International Entrepreneur Rule—the closest thing to a startup visa in the U.S.—is dying a slow painful death. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice in the Federal Register delaying the effective date of the rule until March 14, 2018, to consider rescinding the rule altogether. This move follows an…
The U.S. Supreme Court last week temporarily allowed a scaled-down version of President Trump’s travel ban to go into effect. The Supreme Court will consider the legal challenges to the ban again in the fall if still in effect. Trump’s March 6, 2017, executive order imposed a 90-day ban on entry into the U.S. for those holding…
A pro-immigration nonprofit group is urging individuals to tell their Senators to protect the International Entrepreneur Rule. The group, FWD.us, was founded in 2013 by Mark Zuckerberg and other technology leaders. FWD.us and several other groups worked with the Obama administration over the course of two years to devise the rule. International Entrepreneur Rule…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Many 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…
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…