Proposed Entrepreneur Visa Rule Delayed

The Trump administration dealt a blow to start-ups and entrepreneurs today, when it delayed the start of a new immigration program. The program would have allowed foreign-born entrepreneurs to work in their US businesses (see this blog post for details about the program). The program will not now take effect before March 14, 2018....if it takes effect at all.

The Federal Register explains that "...DHS decided to delay the effective date of the IE Final Rule, to further consider it in light of E.O. 13767."  EO 13767 is the Executive Order that describes building the wall with Mexico, increasing immigration enforcement, reducing humanitarian relief, and more.

Newsweek reports that the delay in implementing the entrepreneur visa could have a chilling effect on startup tech companies. The article notes that "Immigrants have played a big role in Silicon Valley. About a third of U.S. venture-backed companies that went public between 2006 to 2012 was created by one or more immigrant founder, according to a recent study by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Companies created by at least one immigrant founder include Facebook, LinkedIn, Zipcar and Tesla Motors."

Please contact Elaine Martin if you would like to discuss other possible immigration options,including investor visa, international transferees, etc.