Immigration Law for Tech Startups

Immigration law expert Jonathan Grode joins us to unravel the complexities of employment-based immigration in the U.S. We discuss the challenges businesses face with I-9 forms and the critical importance of audits and training to mitigate risks. With a focus on the economic and logistical consequences of increased enforcement under the Trump administration, we highlight the significant contributions of undocumented workers to the U.S. economy and the potential disruptions mass deportations could cause.

Jonathan Grode serves as the U.S. Practice Director and Managing Partner for Green and Spiegel. Jonathan has worked continuously in the U.S. business immigration law field since 1999 and has amassed considerable experience obtaining nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for new company start-ups, professional workers, artists and entertainers, athletes, physicians, and scientific researchers. In addition, Jonathan has significant experience dealing with Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security enforcement actions as well as immigration-related aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Challenges and complexities of employment-based immigration in the U.S.

• Importance of I-9 compliance and risk mitigation for businesses

• Economic impact of undocumented workers and potential disruptions from mass deportations

• Hopeful possibilities for immigration reform amid political changes

• Need for more accessible work visas, especially for low-skilled labor

• Role of immigration in meeting technical skills demand in manufacturing

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Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-and-spiegel-us/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-grode-2556629/ 

Website - https://www.gands.com/en-us/contact-us/

https://www.alcorn.law/podcast/sap177/ 

https://www.alcorn.law/podcast/sap192/

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

Unlock the secrets of U.S. immigration laws with our exclusive insights into the H-1B visa process for tech founders and startup teams. You'll discover how recent regulatory changes empower founders to fully own their ventures while navigating the complex employer-employee dynamics. Learn how to craft immigration strategies that align with your entrepreneurial vision, ensuring both your business and personal goals are met.

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:

• Insights into the H-1B visa process for tech founders and startups

• Recent changes allowing founders to own 100% of their companies

• Strategies for H-1B transfers and alternative visa options like O-1s

• Exploring cap-exempt H-1Bs and part-time concurrent H-1Bs

• Navigating employer-employee relationship dynamics under new regulations

• Compliance with H-1B wage requirements and preparing for RFEs

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

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

Website - https://sophiealcorn.com/ 

https://www.alcorn.law/ 

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

Dr. José-Marie Griffiths is the President of Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. She has spent her career in research, teaching, public service, corporate leadership, workforce and economic development, and higher education administration, with a special focus on working in STEM fields. 

She has served in presidential appointments to the National Science Board, the U.S. President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee, and the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. She was a member of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence and is an expert advisor with the Special Commission on Special Projects (SCSP). 

She participated in the White House Cyber Workforce and Education Summit, and 2023 Senate hearings on AI and Ag, research, and workforce. 

She was named the 2024 USA Today Woman of the Year for South Dakota, one of 50 Influential Women in AI by InspiredMinds, and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2023.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The importance of accountability and careful data set selection to combat AI bias.

• Dakota State University's leadership in cyber defense and AI education.

• The interplay between AI, cybersecurity, and the disruptive potential of quantum computing on encryption.

• The STEM talent gap in the U.S. and the role of legal immigration in bolstering innovation.

• Quantum technology's future applications and its impact on encryption systems.

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/jose-marie-griffiths-9106b7b/

https://www.linkedin.com/school/dakota-state-university/

Website - https://dsu.edu/ 

https://www.dsucyber27.com/

Dr. Colin Ponce AI and Energy - https://www.alcorn.law/podcast/sap201/

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

Deedy Das invests at Menlo Ventures in Seed and Series A companies in AI / SaaS / Infra and helps run the $100M Anthology Fund with Anthropic. He was on the founding team of the $4.6B enterprise search and AI company Glean, where he built and led Glean Assistant to $15M+ ARR. Deedy also writes frequently about tech, AI, startups, and immigration on X which have received 400M+ views and been featured frequently in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, and more.

Discover how Deedy's experience with founding an AI company sparked his passion for supporting budding startups. Gain insights into his work with the $100 million Anthology Fund with Anthropic, which offers a refreshing flexibility compared to traditional venture capital frameworks. Deedy also opens up about his immigration journey from India to the U.S., shedding light on the complex H1B visa process and its impact on talented individuals striving to establish themselves in the U.S.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Deedy Das's transition from engineering to venture capital and his role at Menlo Ventures and Glean.

• Challenges and strategies for navigating the H1B and EB1A visa processes as an immigrant entrepreneur.

• Insights into the flexibility and structure of the $100 million Anthology Fund with Anthropic.

• The need for reform in green card pathways and exploring international models for immigration.

• Strategies for non-citizen entrepreneurs in the U.S., focusing on visa eligibility and fundraising.

• The importance of customer feedback over investor opinions for startup success.

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/debarghyadas/

Website - https://debarghyadas.com/

https://x.com/AravSrinivas/status/1851700699756925059?lang=en 

https://menlovc.com/anthology-fund/ 

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

Steve Tobocman is a serial entrepreneur in the nonprofit sector, having co-led or led the launch of nearly a dozen creative nonprofit endeavors, most of which are forwarding social justice and economic opportunity to this day.

Steve is the Executive Director of Global Detroit, a nationally recognized leader in the emerging field of immigrant-inclusive economic development. He is a former State Representative from Detroit and the Majority Floor Leader of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Sophie and Steve discuss the transformative impact of immigrant-inclusive economic development strategies on regional growth and revitalization, particularly in Southeast Michigan. They explore the role of immigration in bolstering demographic stability and economic dynamism, with a specific emphasis on Michigan's significant international student population and automotive industry.

The conversation highlights success stories from Global Detroit and the broader Welcoming Economies Global Network, illustrating how community-driven efforts have reshaped public perceptions and influenced policy nationwide, even in traditionally conservative states. Sophie and Steve delve into innovative programs like the Global Entrepreneur in Residence (GEIR) initiative, which provides international founders with cap-exempt H-1B visa opportunities through part-time university roles, thereby fueling local job creation and economic vitality.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Steve Tobocman's leadership at Global Detroit and its impact on immigrant-driven economic growth.

• Immigrants revitalizing Michigan's economy, focusing on the automotive sector and international students.

• Success stories from Global Detroit and the Welcoming Economies Global Network in community growth.

• Programs like the Global Talent Retention Initiative and the Global Entrepreneur in Residence (GEIR).

• The need for bipartisan efforts and storytelling to change views on immigration.

• Advice for immigrants and international students aiming to boost the U.S. economy.

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/company/global-detroit/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-tobocman-62615423/

Website - www.globaldetroitmi.org 

info@globaldetroitmi.org

https://welcomingamerica.org/initiatives/welcoming-economies-program/ 

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

The H-1B visa serves as a vital pathway for global talent in specialty occupations, driving innovation and economic growth in the United States. In this episode, Sophie explains the essential requirements for both employers and employees, clarifying the numerical cap, lottery system, and special exemptions for universities and research organizations. She provides insights into the application timeline, visa duration, and extension possibilities, particularly for workers navigating long green card wait times. Sophie also highlights how H-1B professionals play a key role in complementing the U.S. workforce in STEM fields, addressing the growing need for skilled expertise.

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:

• H-1B visa as a gateway for global talent and its impact on U.S. innovation and economic growth
• Key requirements for employers and employees, including the numerical cap and lottery system
• Modernization of the H-1B process for 2025, including streamlined applications and enhanced compliance
• Opportunities for startup founders and entrepreneurs under the new H-1B modernization rule
• Enhanced pathways and flexibility for F-1 students transitioning to H-1B status
• Importance of H-1B workers in complementing U.S. STEM workforce and addressing skill shortages
• Challenges and complexities in navigating the H-1B system and the need for early preparation

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/ 

Website - https://sophiealcorn.com/ 

https://www.alcorn.law/ 

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

Jeremiah Anderson is the CEO and co-founder of ORE, a pioneering company transforming mineral exploration through cutting-edge muon tomography technology. With more than a decade leading the development of scalable products that leverage physics and AI, Jeremiah now drives a diverse team dedicated to creating faster, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions for subsurface imaging. His vision for ORE is to revolutionize resource discovery while advancing the global transition to sustainable energy.

Balaji, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Outer Rim Exploration (ORE), brings over two decades of diverse experience, blending technical expertise and strategic acumen. With a vision to revolutionize the mining industry, Balaji drives ORE’s mission to identify underground green minerals essential for renewable energy using innovative muon tomography technology. His focus on scaling ORE's solutions to meet the global demand for sustainable resource discovery. His strategic leadership ensures ORE stays at the forefront of combining advanced imaging technologies with real-world applications. Passionate about bridging technology and impact, Balaji is committed to making a greener future. 

Outer Rim Exploration (ORE) is a deep tech company that is solving a fundamental bottleneck of mineral resource discovery to enable the world's renewable energy transition. Our drone-based muon sensors enable rapid exploration of inaccessible terrain and active brownfield sites greatly reducing cost while increasing the speed and safety of exploration. Utilizing automation, multiple sensor data fusion, and AI we create maps of the subsurface and locate ore bodies in a scalable way. ORE was accepted into the deep tech accelerator, UC Berkeley Skydeck and is advised by University of Tokyo particle physics professors.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• AI and deep tech innovations transforming the mining industry and space exploration.

• Urgent need for increased mineral extraction to support renewable energy goals.

• Autonomous vehicles and data fusion technologies enhancing mining efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

• Muon sensor technology as a game-changer for subsurface exploration, both on Earth and in space.

• Potential of muon sensors to revolutionize mineral detection in challenging terrains like the Andes and celestial bodies.

• Intersection of mining and space exploration technologies paving the way for sustainable resource exploration.

• Future vision of mining industry evolution with deep tech innovations reducing environmental impact and increasing safety.

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/company/outer-rim-exploration/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-l-anderson/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-123/

https://www.ore.space/

Emails:

jeremy@ore.space

balaji@ore.space

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

Learn the secrets to a seamless F-1 to H-1B transition with us as Sophie Alcorn unpacks the groundbreaking updates taking effect in January 2025. By extending cap gap protections, these changes promise international graduates an additional six months of work authorization while waiting for H-1B approval, transforming the landscape for students and employers alike. Learn how this extension reduces anxiety over status gaps and eliminates the need for costly premium processing, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted career path for talented individuals eager to join the U.S. workforce.

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:

• Extended cap gap protections for F-1 to H-1B transitions beginning January 2025

• Six additional months of work authorization to ease status gaps for international graduates

• Automatic extension for F-1 students with timely filed H-1B petitions

• Positive impacts on U.S. labor market, economy, and global competitiveness

• Stakeholder perspectives from universities, businesses, and trade associations

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/

Website - https://sophiealcorn.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.

Bret Waters has been in Silicon Valley his entire career as an entrepreneur, CEO, academic, and investor. Today he teaches entrepreneurship at Stanford, coaches startup CEO’s at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and gives talks around the world on the democratization of entrepreneurship. He is the author of a new book, The Launch Path: Getting from a startup idea to a launched venture.

Explore the evolving landscape of startup financing and alternative funding models as Bret discusses the current state of IPO and M&A markets. He provides insights into the importance of running capital-efficient businesses in today's economic environment and highlights revenue-based financing as a flexible alternative to traditional venture capital. Bret underscores the need for innovative financing structures that support smaller but profitable businesses, which often fall outside the typical Silicon Valley expectations.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The importance of customer engagement before product development.

• Exploration of revenue-based financing as an alternative to traditional venture capital.

• Insight into the impact of economic and regulatory changes on startup financing.

• Cultural differences in embracing failure and their effect on entrepreneurship.

• Challenges faced by global entrepreneurs, including navigating funding stages.

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/bretwaters/

Website - bretwaters.com

thelaunchpath.com

https://www.momtestbook.com/ 

https://www.millersocent.org/accelerator/   

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.