AILA: New Business Immigration Rule Takes Step Toward Welcoming Entrepreneurs
| CONTACTS: | |
|---|---|
| George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 gtzamaras@aila.org |
Belle Woods 202-507-7675 bwoods@aila.org |
Washington, DC – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed the issuance of a proposed rule from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on immigrant entrepreneurs; the rule is expected to be formally published in the Federal Register next week.
AILA President Bill Stock noted, “This is a welcome step, one that AILA has been advocating for years as we saw countless missed opportunities for entrepreneurs due to outdated immigration laws. This rule follows up on President Obama’s promise in November 2014 to use existing statutory authority to leverage current immigration law to encourage entrepreneurship and economic growth. The proposed rule would allow start-up founders, those who could show a significant public benefit to the U.S. from the development of their new companies, a ‘parole’ into the U.S. in order to grow that company and create jobs. This feels like a door being opened, one that has previously been locked and barred for entrepreneurs, offering them a way through outdated and cumbersome U.S. immigration law.”
Benjamin Johnson, AILA Executive Director commented, “At first glance, this proposed framework appears to set reasonable and flexible benchmarks to measure likelihood of success of entrepreneurial enterprises. That is vitally important, given the inherent risks in starting a new business and creating new jobs. The devil is in the details of course, and AILA will be offering comment on the 155 page proposed rule in the coming days. But frankly, it’s refreshing to see a proposal that acknowledges the global marketplace of ideas that this century, and technological innovation, have brought.”
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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.