Improved US immigration process for immigrant entrepreneurs

United States, 24th February: The US must focus on keeping an increased number of immigrant high-tech entrepreneurs, stated top immigration official of the Obama administration.

Entrepreneurs in Residence program launched--Director of the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Service), Alejandro Mayorkas, met members of the startup community of Silicon Valley at a summit for launch of ‘Entrepreneurs in Residence’ scheme.

Speaking on the summit aimed to control ‘reverse brain drain’ of US-trained entrepreneurs, Mayorkas said the US needs immigrant entrepreneurs that have the ability to use their creativity effectively.

The summit on the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, had nearly 100 leaders from government, high tech and academia. The US invites the brightest and the best from the world over to get education here, Mayorkas informed.

Due to poor availability of US visas, majority of such foreigners have no option but to move back to their respective native nations. Hence, the US must work towards to facilitate immigrants having the ability to create new jobs in the US, he asserted.

Review of US immigration rules--For long, majority of tech executives, immigrant entrepreneurs and venture capitalists allege that vague US visa rules restrict budding entrepreneurs lacking US passports from launching companies in the US.

Taking a cue from this, the US immigration authorities have finally agreed to review such rules to make them easier for the aspiring entrepreneurs.

The USCIS aims to make US visa norms realistic to facilitate optimum growth for the startup firms in the US.

But, this does not, in any ways, means that the US will increase the number of immigrants to be allowed into the nation under different US visa categories.

Through the launch of the new ‘Entrepreneurs in Residence’ program, the US immigration services wants to become directly responsive to the needs of the high-tech startups in the US, Mayorkas informed.

A total of five applicants will be selected by the US immigration agency from the private sector for guiding policy and training for officers involved in taking decision regarding US immigration applications, he stated.

In doing this, the aim is to help tap the lost talent and potential for creation of jobs for Americans, Mayorkas summarized.