alt Hacker NewsI'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
I'll be here for the next 6 hours. As usual, there are lots of possible topics and I'll be guided by whatever you're interested in. Please remember that I can't provide legal advice on specific cases because I won't have access to all the facts. Please try to stick to a factual discussion in your questions and comments and I'll try to do the same in my answers!
Previous threads we've done: https://news.ycombinator.com/submitted?id=proberts.
Comments
Have you seen an increase in usage of the L1 and is that being scrutinized by USCIS more than before?
If a married couple on L1 visas both comes in to work in the US and one loses their job - can that person switch to the dependent visa, then back to the L1 visa when they find a job? Would the green card wait be reset then?
What's the typical timeline and cost for sponsoring an H-1B vs. EB-3 vs. other visa categories?
What were some notable differences between H-1B before and after the fee?
What are the chances of getting back a green card after being out of the country for 4 years? My partner left with the intention to come back soon after, bought a house there as well just before leaving, but then couldn't come back more than a couple of weeks a year for 3 years, and then not at all for the past 4 years.
We're thinking to move back to the US at some point, so having a green card would be the royal road.
Thanks!
What is the average time for getting and L2S visa? Is it mandatory to get EAD to get a job?
How easy is it for canadians with Tn-1 visas these days?
Is there a guideline how much time can one take for moving after getting a green card? Should one count days during the first year to not run into problems or is this more second year and onwards?
There does not seem to be much information about this besides very vague statements.
Do you see a changing trend in number applications, accepted ones or visa cancellations ?
how much time do you spend per case? do you field calls from clients or is it a pretty hands-off, turn-key process?
My partner is a refugee due to her former homeland making her a political prisoner for advocating for democracy on the internet. Her green card was approved in 2023 and she’s been here since 2017. She works full time and has no criminal record (and doesn’t engage in activities to cause a change there).
We are not married, though that could change eif it offers meaningful protection for her. I’m a white guy born in USA. How paranoid is “reasonable” for a guy who predicted that the USA would become a fascist state in my lifetime two years ago and yet has been surprised how rapidly it’s coming true? Any advice? Thank you.
Not sure if this is on topic, but:
Around 2014-2020 I feel like there were lots of companies hiring worldwide online remote.
In the last couple years it seems like the tides moved way back out, and companies are terrified of hiring remote contractors. My impression is that it seems mostly about misclassification risks, but maybe there's another part I haven't seen.
1. Is this a real risk? I've looked it up in a few areas but AFAICT misclassification is strictly about same country relations. I know there's some edge cases (like if a foreign worker isn't actually residing outside the country...) but IIUC the laws are mostly to protect the employees and government from bad companies, so as long as the company doesn't try to do that it's not an issue. The bindings of international contracts are limited and both sides know about that.
2. Is this a real trend? Do you have any idea where it comes from? My gut feeling is that Remote.io and Deel who are in this business are spreading FUD because they're in the business of selling protection. I've heard of multiple companies rejecting candidates with like "Oh Deel doesn't have a contract for your country so we can't hire you" etc. But maybe there was some big case that put everyone on their toes?
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What is the most evil thing you’ve done as a lawyer? What is the most evil thing you’ve done for YC?
Do you believe skilled immigration is overall detriment or increment to the American economy?
What a creative way to solicit new business. These quarterly touts for work on HN in the guise of AMA leave me somewhat annoyed.