Immigration Law for Tech Startups

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:

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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.

Matt Kirmayer has more than 30 years of experience in the emerging company and venture capital ecosystem, including numerous seed and venture financings for technology and life science companies. Matt represents emerging technology companies and the investors who fund them across a range of industries, including software, educational technology, digital media, social media, artificial intelligence systems, robotics and life sciences. Active in the technology and investment communities in Silicon Valley and the East Coast, Matt often works with emerging companies as their outside general counsel, managing legal, financial and operational issues, from formation and angel and venture capital investment through exit.

Our conversation with Matt sheds light on the essential role of legal counsel in supporting the startup journey. Drawing on his extensive New York corporate law background, Matt discusses how he guides entrepreneurs through the complex landscape of fundraising and legal regulations, acting as a strategic advisor and protective guide. We touch upon the common misconceptions startups have, particularly around stock options and financial instruments like SAFEs. Matt emphasizes that while legal education is vital, it should serve to encourage meaningful dialogue with legal professionals rather than replace them, and he shares how he prepares students at Carnegie Mellon University for these critical interactions.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Importance of legal counsel for startups and navigating fundraising complexities.

• Common misconceptions about stock options and financial instruments like SAFEs.

• Foundational legal considerations such as incorporation and equity splits.

• Emphasis on open communication for international founders in the U.S.

• Significance of 83B elections and tax strategies for startups.

• Role of legal education in fostering meaningful dialogue with professionals.

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/mkirmayer/

Website - https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/matt-kirmayer.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.

Congressman Jerry McNerney, a former 16-year Congressman from California now serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at Pillsbury Winthrop, LLP where he is in the process of creating an AI trade association, The AI Trust Foundation. In Congress, McNerney focused on energy, technology and veterans’ issues, was the author of the AI in Government Act, and was chair of the Congressional AI and Grid Innovation Caucuses. Before coming to Congress, he spent 20 years developing renewable energy technology. McNerney is a PhD Mathematician.

Former Missouri Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr. advises and advocates on behalf of clients whose interests intersect with the federal government. In guiding clients, Congressman Clay draws upon his 20 years as a member of the House of Representatives during which he served on the following House Committees: Financial Services, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Reform. 

During that time, he also served as Chair of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions; the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives of the Oversight and Reform Committee. Congressman Clay was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (which his father co-founded), the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus, the Congressional Arts Caucus, and a current board member of The National Democratic Club.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Importance of diversity in the AI workforce and role of HBCUs and community colleges.

• AI's potential to reduce biases, especially in financial services like housing and credit.

• The need for international standards and legislation for AI policy.

• Prospects of bipartisan immigration reform in relation to AI talent recruitment.

• Dual-edged nature of AI in education, balancing enhancement and depersonalization.

• AI's impact on social justice, environmental justice, and sustainable energy solutions.

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/jerry-mcnerney-6484501/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lacy-clay-jr-aa37b2213/

• Website

• Jerrymcnerney.org

• https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/jerry-mcnerney.html 

• https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/lacy-clay.html 

• Other Guest URLs

• www.theaitrust.org

• URLs mentioned in podcast recording

• https://www.nist.gov/standards 

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.

What drives someone to leave their home country and overcome immense challenges to achieve academic and professional success abroad? Join us as we chat with Angel Contreras Cruz.

Angel is from Oaxaca, Mexico. He received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering (2004) and M.S. in Regional Development (2015) from the Oaxaca Institute of Technology. Angel moved to the United States in 2015 and recently obtained his Ph.D. in Engineering Technology Management from Portland State University (06/2024). His doctoral dissertation proposes a hierarchical decision model to evaluate immigration policies for technology professionals.

Explore the potential of a hybrid immigration system that marries point-based and employment-based models, a topic Angel passionately advocates. Discover how such a system could meet both technological and economic demands while staying current with advancements. Angel discusses his ongoing research projects, including a book on immigration and entrepreneurship, and underscores the importance of collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions. We wrap up with valuable resources for those interested in immigration research and advise listeners to stay informed through various platforms, ensuring they have the tools needed for a successful relocation journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Angel Contreras Cruz's journey from Oaxaca, Mexico, to earning a PhD in Engineering Technology Management at Portland State University.

• The transformative impact of learning English and pursuing higher education in the United States.

• Insights into Angel's research on immigration policy, focusing on social integration and economic contributions of immigrants.

• Policy considerations to enhance diversity, inclusion, and retention of skilled immigrants.

• Exploration of a hybrid immigration system combining point-based and employment-based models.

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/angel-contreras-cruz-a94b72109/ 

Website - https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=UEM-kb4AAAAJ 

https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/6627/

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.

Maria Varmazis is the host of T-Minus Space Daily Podcast, co-host of the Hacking Humans podcast, and a frequent guest on numerous technology and cybersecurity podcasts. She is an artist, podcaster, journalist, and content creator with over 15 years of experience in telling stories that engage and delight. She is always happy to geek out over space and cybersecurity, both professionally and personally!

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Influence of science and engineering in Maria's upbringing

• Transition from dreams of astrophysics to a career in computer science

• Navigating cultural and linguistic challenges as a child of immigrants

• Diversity issues in the space and cybersecurity industries

• Cultural norms and challenges in cybersecurity and space sectors

• Future trends and advancements in global space exploration by 2030 and beyond

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 - linkedin.com/in/varmazis

Websites - 

• https://space.n2k.com

• https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/hacking-humans

• https://mvarmazis.com/

https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/278 

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.