I’ll be here for the next 2 hours and then again at around noon for another 2 hours. As usual, there are countless possible topics and I'll be guided by whatever you're concerned with. Please remember that I can't provide legal advice on specific cases for obvious liability reasons because I won’t have access to all the facts. Please stick to a factual discussion in your questions and comments and I'll try to do the same in my answers!
I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
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Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#2I'm curious what you think about remote work and whether it's overall a net positive for companies that are struggling to find talent in their own country.
There seem to be some obvious benefits: no need to worry about getting people visas, expanding your talent pool to beyond your geographic region, and so on. There's also legal tradeoffs: dealing with complicated laws with taxes, benefits, and so on.
In your experience, is opting for remote a net benefit? Or perhaps more fittingly, in what situations do you think it's appropriate for a company to consider building a remote workforce, wholly or partially?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#3What is your opinion on Trump's new H1-B policy? Will this hurt innovation as a result of lack of access to talented engineers?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#4Have you observed any change in practices with respect both visa application processes and admission at the border processes since the Trump administration came into office (e.g. longer delays, higher rate of refusals, extra scrutiny, etc)? I'm thinking about "field practices" rather than material changes to existing regulations. Thanks!
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#5Is the AC21 and the 6 year H1B extension going to be revoked? If so, that would mean that without elimination of per country cap, over subscribed categories cannot get a Green Card?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#6I'm curious what you think about remote work and whether it's overall a net positive for companies that are struggling to find talent in their own country. There seem to be some obvious benefits: no need to worry about getting people visas, expanding your talent pool to beyond your geographic region, and so on. There's also legal tradeoffs: dealing with complicated laws with taxes, benefits, and so on. In your experi…
I'm not aware of the costs of remote employment, which will vary from country to country, so it's hard to say but as immigration policies get more restrictive, I suspect that more companies will go this route. That being said, we still get a lot of requests from companies to bring their remote employees and contractors to the U.S. so that they're working as part of the main team even though the cost of employing them is probably higher.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#7I live outside us and when I apply for jobs in us interviewers back out (indirectly) once they come to know that I may not be able to join on a specified date due to the lottery based h1b. What are my other options? I do not have enough experience for an L1
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#8Is the AC21 and the 6 year H1B extension going to be revoked? If so, that would mean that without elimination of per country cap, over subscribed categories cannot get a Green Card?
I hope not and I doubt it. From my perspective, that would be a disaster. Companies would lose talented employees from oversubscribed countries.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#9Have you observed any change in practices with respect both visa application processes and admission at the border processes since the Trump administration came into office (e.g. longer delays, higher rate of refusals, extra scrutiny, etc)? I'm thinking about "field practices" rather than material changes to existing regulations. Thanks!
Not really other than applications for admission in TN status seem to have become more difficult and irrational.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#10What do you think of https://www.bridge.us (SaaS platform for immigration)? I haven't used them yet but I'm a fan of the team and the concept. We have sponsored a number of J and H visas for various people at Breezy, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the value of this platform and/or any competitors. Thanks in advance!