4 ms·

Any system will be gamed. The question is whether or not it is preferable to push startups that would be founded out of the country, or destroy them. None of yo

Any system will be gamed. The question is whether or not it is preferable to push startups that would be founded out of the country, or destroy them. None of your arguments describe why the startup visa is a worse idea than the status quo. I know literally dozens of foreign residents, working at tech companies, who would love to create a startup here in the SF Bay -- here particularly in the SF Bay, which has advantages and friends of theirs and frankly should be their prerogative, but cannot legally do so because of visa restrictions. This actually kills those startups outright. As for the remaining very important portion of immigration reform that needs to happen, I am not sure that as a country the US can get over its xenophobia enough to change soon. The time is right to make it easier to start companies: we're still in a recession, the political winds are in our favor.

psranga 17y ago
I know literally dozens of foreign residents, working at tech companies, who would love to create a startup here in the SF Bay ... but cannot legally do so because of visa restrictions. Next you meet them, ask why they are under "visa restrictions". It's highly likely it's because of the current broken immigration system. It takes 6-10 years to get a green card (with practically no job mobility during that time). Which is precisely what the comprehensive immigration reform that the parent called for will fix. Second, the startup visa is still a visa. They will still have "visa restrictions". It's highly likely to have restrictions against bailing from the startup you were "authorized" to start and joining another startup or becoming an employee at a company.
- DaniFong 17y ago
  By 'will' do you mean 'would'? What comprehensive immigration reform do actually expect to see passed?
  - psranga 17y ago
    Just two administrative changes will go a long way. 1. strictly FIFO processing of applications on a nationwide basis (currently applicants for green cards in regions with a large number of applicants such as California can be processed slower than other regions) 2. Reform the green card process so that job mobility is available when green card app is in progress but not yet approved. This includes formalizing a "grace period" during which time you can remain unemployed without losing visa status or your place in the green card queue (but not be uninsured, collecting govt. aid etc; most immigrants whom this will help save a lot so money is not a problem for them)

psranga 17y ago

I know literally dozens of foreign residents, working at tech companies, who would love to create a startup here in the SF Bay ... but cannot legally do so because of visa restrictions. Next you meet them, ask why they are under "visa restrictions". It's highly likely it's because of the current broken immigration system. It takes 6-10 years to get a green card (with practically no job mobility during that time). Which is precisely what the comprehensive immigration reform that the parent called for will fix. Second, the startup visa is still a visa. They will still have "visa restrictions". It's highly likely to have restrictions against bailing from the startup you were "authorized" to start and joining another startup or becoming an employee at a company.

DaniFong 17y ago
By 'will' do you mean 'would'? What comprehensive immigration reform do actually expect to see passed?
- psranga 17y ago
  Just two administrative changes will go a long way. 1. strictly FIFO processing of applications on a nationwide basis (currently applicants for green cards in regions with a large number of applicants such as California can be processed slower than other regions) 2. Reform the green card process so that job mobility is available when green card app is in progress but not yet approved. This includes formalizing a "grace period" during which time you can remain unemployed without losing visa status or your place in the green card queue (but not be uninsured, collecting govt. aid etc; most immigrants whom this will help save a lot so money is not a problem for them)