Watson Immigration Law PLLC

Immigration Coalition for International Entrepreneurship Sends Open Letter Recommending Changes to International Entrepreneur Parole https://lnkd.in/g6aNe-Xq Yesterday, 36 organizations and individuals from the immigration and startup communities sent an open letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter, available here, commends the administration for reviving International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP) and recommends important procedural changes to make the program easier to use. Tahmina Watson Institute for Progress American Immigration Lawyers Association American Immigration Council Angel Capital Association Center for American Entrepreneurship Consumer Technology Association Digital Irish Economic Innovation Group Federation of American Scientists FWD.us Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Science and Technology Coalition Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) National Immigration Forum National Venture Capital Association Niskanen Center Nova Credit Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ASSOICATION Katie Allen John Dearie Brad Feld Kumar Garg Troy Henikoff Jaclyn Freeman Hester Brienne Maner Fiona McEntee, J.D. Blake Patton Nik Rokop Leslie Lynn Smith Stephen Yale-Loehr #internationalentrepreneur #internationalentrepreneurrule #internationalentrepreneurparole #IEP #IER #startupvisa #immigration #immigrationlaw #immigrationpolicy #founders #startups #USCIS #DHS #venturecapital #entrepreneur #technology #innovation #startup

Important news update on the International Entrepreneur Parole: USCIS announced today that there will be increases to various $$ requirements from October 1. See below for the changes announced. If you are a startup hoping to file IEP, it's important to consider it sooner rather than later. You are welcome to call our office at Watson Immigration Law PLLC for help. You can also learn more about the IEP in my book "The Startup Visa: US Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders" at Chapter 8 and learn about preparation strategies. Here's a link. https://lnkd.in/gydHqX-T Here's an excerpt of what USCIS published and link below. Key Changes As required by regulation, we will make the following dollar figure adjustments: For an initial application, entrepreneurs must demonstrate the startup entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation by showing at least $311,071 (currently $264,147) in qualified investments from qualifying investors, at least $124,429 (currently $105,659) in qualified government awards or grants, or, if only partially meeting the threshold investment or award criteria, alternative reliable and compelling evidence of the start-up entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation. For a second period of authorized stay under the International Entrepreneur Rule, the entrepreneur generally must demonstrate that the start-up entity has either: Received a qualified investment, qualified government grants or awards, or a combination of such funding, of at least $622,142 (currently $528,293); Created at least five qualified jobs; or Reached annual revenue in the United States of at least $622,142 (currently $528,293) and averaged at least 20% in annual revenue growth. The definition of a “qualified investor” requires the investor to have a history of substantial investment in successful startup entities. We generally consider such an individual or organization a qualified investor if, during the preceding five years, the following apply: The individual or organization made investments in startup entities of at least $746,571 (currently $633,952) in total, in exchange for equity, convertible debt, or other security convertible into equity commonly used in financing transactions within the startup entities’ respective industries; and After such investment by such individual or organization, at least two such startup entities each created at least five qualified jobs or generated at least $622,142 (currently $528,293) in revenue with average annualized revenue growth of at least 20%. #startups #founders #immigration #venturefunding #vc

Tahmina Watson shares the importance of welcoming talented and innovative immigrants to the US on the Human Capitol Leadership podcast with Jonathan H. Westover, PhD, MPA, AF-CIPD, SFHEA! Check out the full podcast below! #USimmigration #immigrationpodcast #immigrationlaw

Tahmina Watson joins the King County Bar Association at their meeting and award ceremony to celebrate the individuals who help make the association great! #KCBA #seattlelaw #immigrationlaw

In a conversation with Marcylle Combs, Tahmina Watson discusses the importance of love and listening when navigating the chaos of #immigration on the 50% #podcast. Learn more about Tahmina's strategies of overcoming barriers here: https://lnkd.in/gj_G2RV9

With #IndependenceDay on our minds, Tahmina Watson encourages us to channel concern into action. Check out her book Legal Heroes to learn about ordinary people who took extraordinary action for their communities. #july4 #legalaction #2024law #legalbooks #immigrationlaw

Immigration news update for non-citizen spouses! This morning, on June 18, 2024, #PresidentBiden made announcements to allow 3-year work permits for non-citizen spouses. The fact sheet is linked below. The requirements: You must have been residing in the US for 10 years. You must be a non-citizen married to a US citizen. Must satisfy all other applicable legal requirements. Our office will keep up to date as more information is released. Please get in touch with our office at [email protected] or 206-292-5237 if you would like to learn more about how this change impacts your status. Read the Full Fact Sheet here: https://lnkd.in/eb8TVmQm Check out Tahmina Watson's work with immigrant workers during the layoffs- The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/g2Un5uqr Reuters: https://lnkd.in/gEwnyvhu #immigrationnews #immigrantspouse #workpermits #2024immigration

Tahmina Watson will be speaking at the SelectUSA Investment Summit! Apply to attend today: https://lnkd.in/efR7p9k #immigrationlaw #businessimmigration #seattlelawyers #selectusa

Tahmina Watson is feeling the love from Seattle Business magazine and The State of Women these last few weeks! Seattle Business Magazine names Tahmina as one of Seattle's Trailblazing Women in their May/June issue. She is recognized for her work in the legal field alongside many other wonderful women shining in their respective fields. Publisher Jonathan Sposato notes that "These women have conquered commercial real estate, venture capital, tech, finance, and many other historically male bastions. Yet...they are also characterized by unexpected humility and the unflappable desire to give something of themselves back to us." Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gURs8SvP Additionally, the non-profit, The State of Women celebrates Tahmina claiming, "Her impact goes beyond the traditional legal realm. As the host of "The Startup Visa®," Watson provides vital guidance to startup founders and international entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. With her warm yet straightforward delivery, she breaks down an intricate and sometimes overwhelming process into accessible knowledge.⁠" Check out the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/gc-BtKjm #womeninlaw #seattlebusinessmag #seattlelawyers #immigrationalw #womensupportingwomen

Check out this Science Magazine article which features quotes from Tahmina Watson and Doug Rand: https://lnkd.in/gnQKxFHC The article discusses recent positive trends for foreign-born workers in STEM fields in the United States regarding visa approvals and green card applications and mentions the increase in O-1A visas, a temporary visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities, and STEM EB-2 visas with a “national interest” waiver for those with advanced STEM degrees. The data from USCIS reveals significant jumps in these visa approvals following guidance changes in January 2022. The adjustments provide clearer criteria for applicants, particularly in the O-1A category, and allow self-sponsorship for the national interest waiver under the EB-2 visa. The excerpt includes insights from immigration attorneys and individuals who have benefited from these changes, emphasizing the potential for fostering innovation and startups. The broader context involves efforts by President Biden to make it easier for foreign-born STEM workers to contribute to the U.S. economy, while also acknowledging the existing limits on annual employment-based green cards. If you have questions regarding STEM related visas or any other immigration issues, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call (206) 292-5237.