Immigration Law for Tech Startups

Christian Ray Flores is an entrepreneur, evangelist, international recording artist, and philanthropist. From a childhood as a refugee, he has forged an extraordinary path as a successful artist, entrepreneur, speaker, and leader. Christian founded Xponential as a coaching program and community for world changers to thrive for life. His book, Little Book of Big Reasons to Love America, will be published in December.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Christian Ray Flores's immigrant journey across continents and cultures

• Influence in the post-Soviet music scene and Boris Yeltsin's campaign

• Transition from philanthropy to entrepreneurship in multiple countries

• Importance of storytelling in securing business investments

• Unique challenges and opportunities for immigrants in America

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Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianrayflores/

Website - https://www.xponential.life/

https://www.christianrayflores.com/ 

https://www.xponential.life/score

https://bigreasonstoloveamerica.us/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu42B1bTH9A 

https://ascend.academy/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqT2PzQX0Ks 

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Jeremy Robbins is the Executive Director of the American Immigration Council. Previously, Jeremy spent more than a decade building New American Economy, the think tank and advocacy organization founded by Michael Bloomberg to make the economic case for smarter immigration policies, as NAE’s first and sole Executive Director.

Prior to that, Jeremy served as a policy advisor and special counsel in the Office of New York City Mayor, a judicial law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals, a Robert L. Bernstein International Human Rights Fellow working on prisoners’ rights issues in Argentina, and a litigation associate at WilmerHale in Boston, where he was part of the firm’s team representing six Bosnian men detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Jeremy received a JD from Yale Law School and a BA in political science from Brown University.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Challenges and reforms in U.S. immigration policy

• Examination of border management and immigration efficiency

• Impact of enforcement spending and immigration court backlogs

• Role of undocumented workers in the U.S. economy

• Advocacy for a startup visa and immigration change

• American Immigration Council's efforts in supporting immigrant communities

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-adam-robbins

Website - https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/ 

Email - jrobbins@immcouncil.org

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Kelli J. Stump is the President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association where she has also served as chair of the EOIR and ICE committees, as well as serving as a member of many National AILA Liaison committees including several conference planning committees, the Membership Committee, and the Publications Committee. She is the owner and principal attorney at Stump Law in Oklahoma City, OK with nearly 20 years of experience in a practice limited primarily to immigration law. Ms. Stump has also been recognized by her peers in Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for Immigration Law in Oklahoma City, OK.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Reflections on the pre-internet era of immigration law practice and its challenges
• Discussion of the overwhelming backlog in U.S. immigration courts and its implications
• Analysis of immigration policies from the Obama to Trump administrations
• Exploration of innovative solutions like the Heartland Visa to address immigration reform
• The role of AILA in supporting immigration lawyers and fostering a resilient community

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellistump

Website -  www.stumpimmigration.com

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Professor of Law and Migration Studies, University of San Francisco; Founder of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and the USF Immigration & Deportation Defense Clinic. Author of many books: most recently Humanizing Immigration: How to Transform Our Racist and Unjust Immigration System), and co-counsel in precedent-setting Supreme Court asylum case: INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca (1987).

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Expert insights from Bill Hing on Biden's immigration policies and legislative challenges.

• Analysis of Trump's immigration policies, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy and Muslim ban.

• Discussion on immigration enforcement complexities and ICE's role.

• Exploration of potential visa system redesigns, including the Heartland visa proposal.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-hing-b5a6147/ 

Website - https://www.usfca.edu/law/faculty/bill-hing 

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/ 

http://ssrn.com/author=331631 

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Unlock the keys to navigating the future of U.S. immigration policy as we analyze the potential shifts under the Trump administration. Through the lens of an experienced immigration lawyer, we promise insights into how recent election outcomes may reshape high-skilled and business immigration. From H-1B and L-1 visa types to enforcement strategies, we scrutinize Trump's official principles and the Republican Party platform, offering a roadmap to understanding the complex balance between economic growth, safety, and humanitarian concerns in a rapidly changing landscape.

Sophie Alcorn is a leading immigration attorney and the founder of Alcorn Immigration Law in Silicon Valley. With a focus on helping tech startups and international talent, she specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of U.S. immigration law to obtain visas and green cards.

Sophie is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and has been a regular contributor to TechCrunch’s "Ask Sophie" column, where she shared valuable insights on immigration issues. She is also the host of "The Sophie Alcorn Podcast", providing essential information for entrepreneurs navigating immigration challenges.

With a commitment to empowering individuals and families, Sophie actively participates in mentoring and advocacy, ensuring that her clients can achieve their dreams in the U.S.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Analysis of potential shifts in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration
• Impact of recent election outcomes on high-skilled and business immigration
• Insights from influential figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on tech-friendly immigration reforms
• Examination of possible changes to H-1B visa program, including wage-based allocation
• Challenges businesses might face with regulatory changes and compliance needs
• Strategies for navigating the evolving immigration environment

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiealcorn/

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/platform

In conversation with President Trump

https://www.alcorn.law/newsletter-registration/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter
• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:
• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees
• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3
• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens
• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders
• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook
• Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Dr. Colin Ponce is a computational mathematician at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and his research interests include energy systems, network cybersecurity, decentralized computing, machine learning, and AI. Additionally, he has led or contributed to efforts focused on large-scale vulnerability analysis of power systems, robust decentralized computing for industrial control systems, and multi-level methods for machine learning. Recently, he led a study analyzing the benefits and risks of AI within the energy sector in response to Executive Order 14110: Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Exploring AI's dual impact on energy infrastructure: benefits and challenges.

• Energy demands of AI data centers compared to California's peak usage.

• Importance of responsible AI development for power grid stability.

• AI's role in improving grid forecasting and power distribution efficiency.

• Regulatory challenges and funding for expanding energy infrastructure.

• Socio-economic disparities in access to AI and power resources.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-ponce-9abb5715b/

https://www.llnl.gov/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Connor O'Brien is a Research & Policy Analyst at the Economic Innovation Group, where he focuses on immigration and innovation policy. He has written on these topics for City Journal, Newsweek, National Review, and on his personal Substack, Regions. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and the University of Chicago. 

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Discussion on the transformative power of high-skilled immigration for economic innovation.

• Exploration of the Heartland Visa proposal as a pathway to permanent residency.

• Impact of high-skilled immigration on regional economic growth and entrepreneurship.

• Benefits for international students and national security through immigration reforms.

• Role of high-skilled immigration in revitalizing legacy cities and addressing economic disparities.

• Consideration of complementary visa pathways for supporting economic growth and innovation.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorjohnobrien/

EIG.org

cojobrien.com

Heartland Visas: A Policy Primer - EIG

Most international graduates of American universities ultimately leave the U.S. - EIG

EIG Poll: Voters in both parties want more high-skilled immigration

Immigrant inventors are crucial for American national and economic security - EIG

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Based at Carnegie Mellon University's Silicon Valley campus, Sheryl Root is an Associate Professor in technical ventures. Sheryl develops curriculum and teaches courses that merge technology with entrepreneurship taking ideas to commercialization. She created a Master’s degree in Technical ventures that has resulted in successful startup ventures. Outside of CMU, Sheryl is the owner of RootAnalysis, a consulting firm specializing in corporate strategy and marketing. Prior to joining academia, Sheryl had an extensive career in the software industry, including a successful career at Hewlett-Packard (HP). Sheryl is a leader, board member, and advocate for many world–renowned institutes and organizations.

We explore the intricacies of building a startup team that mirrors the precision and strategy of a baseball lineup. Sheryl and I discuss the importance of identifying roles—buyers, users, and influencers—and the art of assembling a team that complements and enhances one's own strengths. From recognizing blind spots to outsourcing non-core tasks, we highlight the value of diversity and collaboration. Think of it as rounding the bases in a baseball game, where each base represents a critical step in the entrepreneurial journey toward commercialization and success.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Insights from Sheryl Root on drawing entrepreneurial lessons from baseball.

• Importance of understanding and loving the problem before developing a solution.

• Emphasis on engaging with potential customers to ensure product-market fit.

• Strategies for building a startup team that mirrors the precision of a baseball lineup.

• The significance of solution development and validation, avoiding premature product building.

• Importance of mentorship, strategic partnerships, and continual learning in startups.

• Discussion on the global impact of startup education and collaborative empowerment.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-root-703b792

https://www.amazon.com/Value-Proposition-Design-Customers-Strategyzer/dp/1118968050

https://a.co/d/2qRjwyn 

https://a.co/d/6yWOBS4 

https://paulgraham.com/ds.html 

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

Stephen Yale Loehr, a luminary in immigration law, shares his unexpected journey from international trade to finding his calling in the deeply human realm of immigration law. Join us as Stephen recounts his path to becoming a foremost expert and educator, weaving personal anecdotes with professional insights. At the heart of our conversation is the growing fascination with immigration law among students and the vibrant opportunities at Cornell, including the innovative Path to Papers project. Through Stephen's narrative, we explore the nuanced landscape of immigration law, from the challenges of specialization to the rewarding impact of his editorial work and teaching.

As we navigate the evolving terrain of immigration education, this episode unpacks the critical role law schools play in equipping students to be effective advocates. We tackle pressing issues like the constitutional hurdles in removal proceedings and the ongoing advocacy for legal representation for immigrants. Highlighting the intricacies of immigration federalism, Stephen offers a thoughtful analysis of state-sponsored immigration initiatives, touching on high-skilled worker programs and potential reforms. His experiences testifying before Congress provide a compelling glimpse into the legislative side of immigration reform, culminating in reflections on his career and the upcoming symposium celebrating his contributions to the field.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Growing interest in immigration law among students and opportunities at Cornell

• Challenges and benefits of specializing in immigration law

• The critical role of law schools in preparing effective immigration advocates

• Constitutional issues and advocacy for legal representation in removal proceedings

• Analysis of state-sponsored immigration initiatives and potential reforms

• Experiences testifying before Congress and reflections on a career in immigration law

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-yale-loehr-5869494/ 

Website - https://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/stephen-yale-loehr/ 

https://migrations.cornell.edu/ 

https://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/academics/centers-programs/migration-and-human-rights-program/ 

Nov. 8 immigration conf. at Cornell Law School: https://community.lawschool.cornell.edu/the-impossibility-of-immigration-reform/ 

Nov. 20 webinar about immigration in the next administration: https://ecornell.cornell.edu/keynotes/overview/K112024/ 

Path 2 Papers - https://sites.lawschool.cornell.edu/path2papers/   

Dan berger, Cornell Law Podcast - https://www.alcorn.law/podcast/sap188/ 

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

• Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

• Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.