Learn the secrets to a seamless F-1 to H-1B transition with us as Sophie Alcorn unpacks the groundbreaking updates taking effect in January 2025. By extending cap gap protections, these changes promise international graduates an additional six months of work authorization while waiting for H-1B approval, transforming the landscape for students and employers alike. Learn how this extension reduces anxiety over status gaps and eliminates the need for costly premium processing, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted career path for talented individuals eager to join the U.S. workforce.

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.

• Extended cap gap protections for F-1 to H-1B transitions beginning January 2025

• Six additional months of work authorization to ease status gaps for international graduates

• Automatic extension for F-1 students with timely filed H-1B petitions

• Positive impacts on U.S. labor market, economy, and global competitiveness

• Stakeholder perspectives from universities, businesses, and trade associations

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/

Website - https://sophiealcorn.com/  

• 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.

Bret Waters has been in Silicon Valley his entire career as an entrepreneur, CEO, academic, and investor. Today he teaches entrepreneurship at Stanford, coaches startup CEO’s at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and gives talks around the world on the democratization of entrepreneurship. He is the author of a new book, The Launch Path: Getting from a startup idea to a launched venture.

Explore the evolving landscape of startup financing and alternative funding models as Bret discusses the current state of IPO and M&A markets. He provides insights into the importance of running capital-efficient businesses in today's economic environment and highlights revenue-based financing as a flexible alternative to traditional venture capital. Bret underscores the need for innovative financing structures that support smaller but profitable businesses, which often fall outside the typical Silicon Valley expectations.

• The importance of customer engagement before product development.

• Exploration of revenue-based financing as an alternative to traditional venture capital.

• Insight into the impact of economic and regulatory changes on startup financing.

• Cultural differences in embracing failure and their effect on entrepreneurship.

• Challenges faced by global entrepreneurs, including navigating funding stages.

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/bretwaters/

Website - bretwaters.com

thelaunchpath.com

https://www.momtestbook.com/ 

https://www.millersocent.org/accelerator/   

• 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.

Jesse M. Bless is the founder and owner of Bless Litigation LLC.  Jesse worked in the U.S. Department of Justice between September 2004 and May 2017.  Prior to opening Bless Litigation LLC, Jesse was selected as the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s first Director of Federal Litigation (2019-2022).

Discover how Jesse's impactful work with the American Immigration Lawyers Association continues to influence his practice today. Transitioning from large-scale litigation to personalized cases, Jesse finds fulfillment in addressing systemic errors and advocating for clients facing ongoing challenges like consular delays and petition denials. This episode provides a comprehensive understanding of the critical role litigation plays in shaping a more just immigration system and highlights potential paths for reform that balance enforcement with the benefits of high-skilled immigration.

• Jesse Bless's journey into immigration law and his diverse legal experiences.

• Challenges faced during the first Trump administration, including child separation policies.

• Complexities of immigration policy reform and potential bipartisan solutions.

• Jesse's work with the American Immigration Lawyers Association and significant litigation efforts.

• Transition from large-scale litigation to personalized cases and addressing systemic errors.

• Impact of litigation on shaping a just immigration system and advocacy for reform.

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 - linkedin.com/in/jesse-bless

Website - blesslitigation.com 

• 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.

Visionary insights from Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar, reveal the unnoticed revolution of digital convergence that began around 2000. He shares how this shift from analog to digital media, driven by the relentless pace of Moore's Law, set the stage for game-changing technologies like AI. Through a captivating discussion, we revisit the days when analog ruled and follow the technological trailblazers who redefined our media landscape, illustrating the persistent theme of change and adaptation in the digital era.

Dr. Alvy Ray Smith is the co-founder of Pixar, was the first Director of Computer Graphics at Lucasfilm, and has received two technical Academy Awards for digital moviemaking. He is the author of A Biography of the Pixel from MIT Press about the Great Digital Convergence that drives the modern world.

• Digital convergence around 2000, transitioning media from analog to digital bits.

• Impact of Moore's Law on technological advancements, including AI.

• Evolution from typewriters to digital filmmaking, leading to Pixar's creation.

• Challenges and patronage in Pixar's early days, including interactions with Steve Jobs.

• Reflections on future technological changes and the role of critical thinking.

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/alvy-ray-smith-7b19006a?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Website - http://alvyray.com

https://www.amazon.com/Biography-Pixel-Leonardo-Alvy-Smith/dp/0262542455/

• 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.

Christian Ray Flores is an entrepreneur, evangelist, international recording artist, and philanthropist. From a childhood as a refugee, he has forged an extraordinary path as a successful artist, entrepreneur, speaker, and leader. Christian founded Xponential as a coaching program and community for world changers to thrive for life. His book, Little Book of Big Reasons to Love America, will be published in December.

• Christian Ray Flores's immigrant journey across continents and cultures

• Influence in the post-Soviet music scene and Boris Yeltsin's campaign

• Transition from philanthropy to entrepreneurship in multiple countries

• Importance of storytelling in securing business investments

• Unique challenges and opportunities for immigrants in America

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/christianrayflores/

Website - https://www.xponential.life/

https://www.christianrayflores.com/ 

https://www.xponential.life/score

https://bigreasonstoloveamerica.us/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu42B1bTH9A 

https://ascend.academy/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqT2PzQX0Ks 

• 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.

Jeremy Robbins is the Executive Director of the American Immigration Council. Previously, Jeremy spent more than a decade building New American Economy, the think tank and advocacy organization founded by Michael Bloomberg to make the economic case for smarter immigration policies, as NAE’s first and sole Executive Director.

Prior to that, Jeremy served as a policy advisor and special counsel in the Office of New York City Mayor, a judicial law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals, a Robert L. Bernstein International Human Rights Fellow working on prisoners’ rights issues in Argentina, and a litigation associate at WilmerHale in Boston, where he was part of the firm’s team representing six Bosnian men detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Jeremy received a JD from Yale Law School and a BA in political science from Brown University.

• Challenges and reforms in U.S. immigration policy

• Examination of border management and immigration efficiency

• Impact of enforcement spending and immigration court backlogs

• Role of undocumented workers in the U.S. economy

• Advocacy for a startup visa and immigration change

• American Immigration Council's efforts in supporting immigrant communities

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/jeremy-adam-robbins

Website - https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/ 

Email - [email protected]

• 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.

Kelli J. Stump is the President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association where she has also served as chair of the EOIR and ICE committees, as well as serving as a member of many National AILA Liaison committees including several conference planning committees, the Membership Committee, and the Publications Committee. She is the owner and principal attorney at Stump Law in Oklahoma City, OK with nearly 20 years of experience in a practice limited primarily to immigration law. Ms. Stump has also been recognized by her peers in Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for Immigration Law in Oklahoma City, OK.

• Reflections on the pre-internet era of immigration law practice and its challenges
• Discussion of the overwhelming backlog in U.S. immigration courts and its implications
• Analysis of immigration policies from the Obama to Trump administrations
• Exploration of innovative solutions like the Heartland Visa to address immigration reform
• The role of AILA in supporting immigration lawyers and fostering a resilient community

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/kellistump

Website -  www.stumpimmigration.com

• 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.

Professor of Law and Migration Studies, University of San Francisco; Founder of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and the USF Immigration & Deportation Defense Clinic. Author of many books: most recently Humanizing Immigration: How to Transform Our Racist and Unjust Immigration System), and co-counsel in precedent-setting Supreme Court asylum case: INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca (1987).

• Expert insights from Bill Hing on Biden's immigration policies and legislative challenges.

• Analysis of Trump's immigration policies, including the "Remain in Mexico" policy and Muslim ban.

• Discussion on immigration enforcement complexities and ICE's role.

• Exploration of potential visa system redesigns, including the Heartland visa proposal.

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/bill-hing-b5a6147/ 

Website - https://www.usfca.edu/law/faculty/bill-hing 

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/ 

http://ssrn.com/author=331631 

• 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.

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.