In an attempt to allow more foreign nationals to contribute to Silicon Valley, a group is seeking to buy a cruise ship and convert it into a floating campus of entrepreneurs who will live on international waters off the coast [...]]]> Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs are pursuing a “you-can’t-make-this-up” hack to the notoriously difficult U.S. immigration system.

In an attempt to allow more foreign nationals to contribute to Silicon Valley, a group is seeking to buy a cruise ship and convert it into a floating campus of entrepreneurs who will live on international waters off the coast of San Fransisco.   The backers of the plan believe a ship is needed because of the difficulty that young, ambitious entrepreneurs have in obtaining immigration and work authorization in the United States.

The ship would allow entrepreneurs to work on the ship and travel to the main land for meetings on business tourist visas.  The need for this venture seems silly – until you think about it for a moment or two – the group thinks that it is easier to buy a boat vs. convince the US government that it needs more Silicon Valley startups created or co-created by ambitious foreign nationals and immigrants.  (Think: Google, Paypal).

The reason [...]]]> A couple nights ago ABC News ran a report about how the creator of CruiseWise.com was denied a visa even though his company had been named one of the “20 Hot Silicon Valley Startups You Need to Watch,” and had hired nine Americans (and expected to hire many more in the near future).

The reason for the denial didn’t seem logical and the report emphasized the negative consequences of the denial.

To the credit of USCIS, within 24 hours of the report airing, the visa petition was reopened and approved.  It is commendable that USCIS took such swift action to correct the situation – but I wonder how many similar cases exist in the system?  Not everyone can get a national news report highlighting the benefits that a company will have on the United States.  What is USCIS doing to ensure its policies are being implemented universally?  What will it do in the future?

Given the general lack of  action towards legislative [...]]]> New York Immigration attorney Chris Gafner’s most recent article, “How USCIS Can Help the United States Win the Global Competition for the Best and Brightest” was recently included as part of the National Foundation for American Policy’s legal brief, Reforming America’s Regulations and Policies on Employment-Based Immigration.

Given the general lack of  action towards legislative immigration reform, the legal brief emphasis ways the immigration agencies can improve the immigration system through regulation and internal policy tweaks.

To read the entire legal brief, visit the NFAP’s website.

One Warning:  Job may include using hand tools such as knives, [...]]]> The United Farm Workers have started an ingenious campaign to help U.S. workers find work in the agricultural sector.  Are you unemployed?   Do you need a job?  Are you willing to work?   The United Farm Workers will help you find work on its website.

One Warning:  Job may include using hand tools such as knives, hoes, shovels, etc. Duties may include tilling the soil, transplanting, weeding, thinning, picking, cutting, sorting & packing of harvested produce. May set up & operate irrigation equip. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions (Summertime 90+ degree weather) & is physically demanding requiring workers to bend, stoop, lift & carry up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.

Many Americans claim that the US does not need immigration reform and that undocumented immigrants are only taking jobs away from American workers.   Here is a chance for those Americans to fight back and take back an American job.    According to the clip below, so far a total of three Americans have taken back an American job.

However, one of the bills in the House that would create a Startup visa has drawn [...]]]> The Startup visa, which has been discussed previously, would allow for the expansion of the EB-5 visa category to include more foreign national entrepreneurs to come to the United States and start a company that would create American jobs.

However, one of the bills in the House that would create a Startup visa has drawn the scrutiny of a well-known blogger, Jeff Cornwell.   But it isn’t what you think – he thinks the Startup visa is a good idea.   The problem, he sees, is the artificial restrictions that the bill would place on the Startup visa program.  Why not just let the market decide the viability of the Startup visa?

Now, will Congress only listen?

The program allows for foreign [...]]]> Last February the U.S. military instituted a pilot program to allow for certain temporary immigrants to enter into the Armed Forces in key, strategically important positions.  The program has been a great success and will hopefully expand in the coming years.  Over a thousand recruits have enlisted through the program.

The program allows for foreign nationals living in the United States on temporary visas to enter into the military if they possess certain language abilities or certain, in demand, skill sets (such as medical physicians).  The program is a win-win for both sides:  the military gets highly skilled and critically important recruits while the foreign nationals get the opportunity to become U.S. citizens at an accelerated speed.

The New York Times quotes military officials as saying these recruits score 20% higher on military entrance tests than regular recruits and have significantly more education than other recruits.

Let’s hope the program is full speed ahead in the years to come.

More an idea than a location, Silicon Valley is  a culture of risk and reward – go hard, go fast, go for broke.  If you succeed, you reap the rewards – if you falter, you start anew with a different idea.  This mindset is capitalism at its best and has garnered America [...]]]>

by Alison

More an idea than a location, Silicon Valley is  a culture of risk and reward – go hard, go fast, go for broke.  If you succeed, you reap the rewards – if you falter, you start anew with a different idea.  This mindset is capitalism at its best and has garnered America many, many technological advancements.  Today, Silicon Valley is synonymous with technological growth and job growth.

Many of the ideas hatched by Silicon Valley have led directly to job growth in the United States.  Perhaps overlooked by many Americans, Silicon Valley’s success has been greatly influenced by immigrants.  In fact, “A quarter of American technology companies have foreign-born founders, and more than half of all Silicon Valley businesses were founded by immigrants.”

In this time of economic upheaval, many in Silicon Valley are asking Congress to create a “Startup Visa” that will allow a properly positioned foreign national to enter the United States to start a company and, if successful, create American jobs.  To learn more about the Startup Visa, please visit this site.