Business and the Workforce
Immigrants not only bring diverse skills and perspectives to the U.S. workforce, they often fill employment gaps in crucial fields. We advocate for expanded work visas and related programs so our labor force can continue to benefit from immigrant workers and remain competitive in the global economy
Cotton and Trump plot crackdown on legal immigration
Overlooked in Donald Trump’s campaign crusade against illegal immigration was his vow to crack down on legal immigration, too. Now, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a reliable Trump ally, is taking steps to execute that part of the president’s immigration vision — and it could provoke a showdown between two competing… Read More
Making America great again
A nation founded by immigrants, each of whom had begun life anew, on an equal footing now shut its doors to refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and suspended entry from seven Muslim-majority nations in the name of national interest and security. Many questions have arisen about Trump during the election campaign-about… Read More
Business Expert: Automation, not Immigrants, Have Taken U.S. Jobs
When Fariborz “FG” Ghadar was in Silicon Valley several years ago, he saw an alarming billboard. It read: “H-1B Problems? PIVOT to Canada.” Sponsored by the Canadian government and aimed at highly skilled immigrants in the technology sector, “It essentially said, If you are having difficulty getting a visa in… Read More
GoDaddy CEO: If You’re Against Outsourcing, You Should Support U.S. Visas For Skilled Foreigners
Last week a preliminary draft order titled “Protecting American Jobs and Workers by Strengthening the Integrity of Foreign Worker Visa Programs” surfaced that targets H-1B “genius” visas. The order signaled a second wave of the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda— with potentially catastrophic effects to the U.S. economy. I’ve written and… Read More
Local Tech Companies Say Trump’s Immigration Order Is Bad For Business
As the legal battle over President Trump’s executive order on immigration moves forward in California, more than 100 tech companies — including a few in Massachusetts — have signed a legal brief opposing the travel ban. Fuze, TripAdvisor and Brightcove have all signed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court… Read More
Young Immigrant Entrepreneur Has a Light-Bulb Moment
Viktor Klyachko believes that maintaining a healthy business community is essential to progress. “Business is what propels the world forward,” he says. Klyachko is the founder of Green Ignite, a company based in Utica, New York, that provides LED lighting systems to wholesalers throughout the Northeast. Launched in 2013, Green… Read More
Job Development Expert Says Immigrants ‘Absolutely Critical’ to Economic Vitality
“Immigration is critically important,” says Dr. Ioanna Morfessis, an economic development expert who has helped create 200,000 new jobs as the founder of three high-profile American economic development organizations: the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore; the Greater Phoenix Economic Council; and the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development. “Immigration… Read More
Change to National Interest Waiver Standard Gives More Entrepreneurs a Path to Permanent Residence
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), recently issued Matter of Dhanasar, which changes the standard that USCIS officers must follow when deciding whether to approve a “national interest waiver” for an immigrant visa petition. This waiver is granted when the foreign national’s work… Read More
Five Things to Look for on Immigration in the 115th Congress
When President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in later this month, for the first time in a decade, the Republican Party will have control of the House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the Presidency. In theory, this control allows the Congress to pass and help implement many of the incoming… Read More
Department of Justice Issues Final Rule About Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices
The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division recently issued a final rule, effective January 18, to update regulations that the agency uses to enforce employment-related anti-discrimination provisions that Congress included in the “unfair immigration-related employment practices” section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The agency maintains… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone