Unlock the keys to navigating the future of U.S. immigration policy as we analyze the potential shifts under the Trump administration. Through the lens of an experienced immigration lawyer, we promise insights into how recent election outcomes may reshape high-skilled and business immigration. From H-1B and L-1 visa types to enforcement strategies, we scrutinize Trump's official principles and the Republican Party platform, offering a roadmap to understanding the complex balance between economic growth, safety, and humanitarian concerns in a rapidly changing landscape.

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.

• Analysis of potential shifts in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration
• Impact of recent election outcomes on high-skilled and business immigration
• Insights from influential figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on tech-friendly immigration reforms
• Examination of possible changes to H-1B visa program, including wage-based allocation
• Challenges businesses might face with regulatory changes and compliance needs
• Strategies for navigating the evolving immigration environment

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.

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

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/platform

In conversation with President Trump

https://www.alcorn.law/newsletter-registration/

• 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.

Dr. Colin Ponce is a computational mathematician at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and his research interests include energy systems, network cybersecurity, decentralized computing, machine learning, and AI. Additionally, he has led or contributed to efforts focused on large-scale vulnerability analysis of power systems, robust decentralized computing for industrial control systems, and multi-level methods for machine learning. Recently, he led a study analyzing the benefits and risks of AI within the energy sector in response to Executive Order 14110: Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.

• Exploring AI's dual impact on energy infrastructure: benefits and challenges.

• Energy demands of AI data centers compared to California's peak usage.

• Importance of responsible AI development for power grid stability.

• AI's role in improving grid forecasting and power distribution efficiency.

• Regulatory challenges and funding for expanding energy infrastructure.

• Socio-economic disparities in access to AI and power resources.

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.

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-ponce-9abb5715b/

https://www.llnl.gov/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/

• 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.

Connor O'Brien is a Research & Policy Analyst at the Economic Innovation Group, where he focuses on immigration and innovation policy. He has written on these topics for City Journal, Newsweek, National Review, and on his personal Substack, Regions. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and the University of Chicago.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Discussion on the transformative power of high-skilled immigration for economic innovation.

• Exploration of the Heartland Visa proposal as a pathway to permanent residency.

• Impact of high-skilled immigration on regional economic growth and entrepreneurship.

• Benefits for international students and national security through immigration reforms.

• Role of high-skilled immigration in revitalizing legacy cities and addressing economic disparities.

• Consideration of complementary visa pathways for supporting economic growth and innovation.

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.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorjohnobrien/

EIG.org

cojobrien.com

Heartland Visas: A Policy Primer - EIG

Most international graduates of American universities ultimately leave the U.S. - EIG

EIG Poll: Voters in both parties want more high-skilled immigration

Immigrant inventors are crucial for American national and economic security - EIG

• 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.

Based at Carnegie Mellon University's Silicon Valley campus, Sheryl Root is an Associate Professor in technical ventures. Sheryl develops curriculum and teaches courses that merge technology with entrepreneurship taking ideas to commercialization. She created a Master’s degree in Technical ventures that has resulted in successful startup ventures. Outside of CMU, Sheryl is the owner of RootAnalysis, a consulting firm specializing in corporate strategy and marketing. Prior to joining academia, Sheryl had an extensive career in the software industry, including a successful career at Hewlett-Packard (HP). Sheryl is a leader, board member, and advocate for many world–renowned institutes and organizations.

We explore the intricacies of building a startup team that mirrors the precision and strategy of a baseball lineup. Sheryl and I discuss the importance of identifying roles—buyers, users, and influencers—and the art of assembling a team that complements and enhances one's own strengths. From recognizing blind spots to outsourcing non-core tasks, we highlight the value of diversity and collaboration. Think of it as rounding the bases in a baseball game, where each base represents a critical step in the entrepreneurial journey toward commercialization and success.

• Insights from Sheryl Root on drawing entrepreneurial lessons from baseball.

• Importance of understanding and loving the problem before developing a solution.

• Emphasis on engaging with potential customers to ensure product-market fit.

• Strategies for building a startup team that mirrors the precision of a baseball lineup.

• The significance of solution development and validation, avoiding premature product building.

• Importance of mentorship, strategic partnerships, and continual learning in startups.

• Discussion on the global impact of startup education and collaborative empowerment.

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.

Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-root-703b792

https://www.amazon.com/Value-Proposition-Design-Customers-Strategyzer/dp/1118968050

https://a.co/d/2qRjwyn

https://a.co/d/6yWOBS4

https://paulgraham.com/ds.html

• 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.

Matt Kirmayer has more than 30 years of experience in the emerging company and venture capital ecosystem, including numerous seed and venture financings for technology and life science companies. Matt represents emerging technology companies and the investors who fund them across a range of industries, including software, educational technology, digital media, social media, artificial intelligence systems, robotics and life sciences. Active in the technology and investment communities in Silicon Valley and the East Coast, Matt often works with emerging companies as their outside general counsel, managing legal, financial and operational issues, from formation and angel and venture capital investment through exit.

Our conversation with Matt sheds light on the essential role of legal counsel in supporting the startup journey. Drawing on his extensive New York corporate law background, Matt discusses how he guides entrepreneurs through the complex landscape of fundraising and legal regulations, acting as a strategic advisor and protective guide. We touch upon the common misconceptions startups have, particularly around stock options and financial instruments like SAFEs. Matt emphasizes that while legal education is vital, it should serve to encourage meaningful dialogue with legal professionals rather than replace them, and he shares how he prepares students at Carnegie Mellon University for these critical interactions.

• Importance of legal counsel for startups and navigating fundraising complexities.

• Common misconceptions about stock options and financial instruments like SAFEs.

• Foundational legal considerations such as incorporation and equity splits.

• Emphasis on open communication for international founders in the U.S.

• Significance of 83B elections and tax strategies for startups.

• Role of legal education in fostering meaningful dialogue with professionals.

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.

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

Website - https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/matt-kirmayer.html

• 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.

What drives someone to leave their home country and overcome immense challenges to achieve academic and professional success abroad? Join us as we chat with Angel Contreras Cruz.

Angel is from Oaxaca, Mexico. He received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering (2004) and M.S. in Regional Development (2015) from the Oaxaca Institute of Technology. Angel moved to the United States in 2015 and recently obtained his Ph.D. in Engineering Technology Management from Portland State University (06/2024). His doctoral dissertation proposes a hierarchical decision model to evaluate immigration policies for technology professionals.

Explore the potential of a hybrid immigration system that marries point-based and employment-based models, a topic Angel passionately advocates. Discover how such a system could meet both technological and economic demands while staying current with advancements. Angel discusses his ongoing research projects, including a book on immigration and entrepreneurship, and underscores the importance of collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions. We wrap up with valuable resources for those interested in immigration research and advise listeners to stay informed through various platforms, ensuring they have the tools needed for a successful relocation journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Angel Contreras Cruz's journey from Oaxaca, Mexico, to earning a PhD in Engineering Technology Management at Portland State University.

• The transformative impact of learning English and pursuing higher education in the United States.

• Insights into Angel's research on immigration policy, focusing on social integration and economic contributions of immigrants.

• Policy considerations to enhance diversity, inclusion, and retention of skilled immigrants.

• Exploration of a hybrid immigration system combining point-based and employment-based models.

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.

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angel-contreras-cruz-a94b72109/

Website - https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=UEM-kb4AAAAJ

https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/6627/

• 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.