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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

#181

Post by random323423 »

I met someone recently from one of the countries south of the US border that came to the US as a kid. Very talented and hardworking but undocumented. She may be here on the Dream act, but I did not feel it appropriate to ask at the time. Currently she is doing a masters degree in mechatronics and robotics. Schools are are not allowed to ask about status, so she is taking the opportunity to invest as much as possible in her education, however given her skills she also has the ability to earn well.

I was fortunate to be born as a citizen in the US so I don't know how to navigate such issues. As I understand it, it is a minefield for a company to hire undocumented workers, even if they are highly skilled workers. Are undocumented individuals allowed to start companies? Does YC have a stance on this from an investment perspective?

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#182

Post by proberts »

alexhektor wrote: post #109

German citizen here. Q1) What is (/are) the easiest path(s) to start a company in the US and/or seek funding there for Europeans? How costly is it? Q2) If there's already a company registered in Germany for example, how costly (approximately) is the process to "register a subsidiary" in the US (required for YC), and how would the visas work? (Would spouses be allowed and be able to get a working permit?)

Q1) For entrepreneurs/founders, the best visas are E-1s, E-2s, L-1s, and O-1s. Q2) You are alluding to the L-1 intracompany transferee visa but to work, the Germany company must have employees and be doing business and must continue to have employees and do business after the transfer.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#184

Post by loftyal »

I can get an E3 visa, looking to move the US. I have a few online side projects that generate some money, am I still legally able to work on these on the side whilst working my main job? Bank account that im paid into and business will still be registered in Australia

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#185

Post by nos4A2 »

jkingsbery wrote: post #171

I'm an American citizen, but many of my current and former colleagues have moved here from other countries. On a number of occasions, those colleagues have explained something about their own immigration process. The current system is crazy. What is the likelihood of process simplification? What are some groups that are pushing for concrete, attainable steps to simplify the process?

Thank you for this comment, it made my day. I usually see posts wanting skilled immigrants out. The last few months have been especially bad due to the various policies that have been adopted.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#186

Post by proberts »

d3nj4l wrote: post #179

Thanks for doing this. As someone looking into studying in the US next year, the recent ICE guidelines did make me a bit worried, and I know of quite a few friends who've decided to either give up, put it off for another year or look at other destinations. Given the pandemic, consulates not processing visas and the political factors, is it still a good idea to think about applying for Fall 2021?

I think so (hopefully it will be a different world then) and to be clear, the government retracted the restrictive ICE rule.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#187

Post by serniebanders »

proberts wrote: post #176
serniebanders wrote: post #151

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask, but I thought I'll try because I couldn't find much information online. My neighbor is a really nice undocumented immigrant family. The family has 2 hard working kids who used to tutor others kids in the neighborhood to make income. They are now suffering because they don't have work and they need help. I have been giving them a monthly stipend to help them pay for food…

There is no restriction on helping illegal immigrants (a lot of charities do this); the issue is paying them for work done since they don't have work authorization.

Rephrased for my understanding: as long as my non-profit don't pay them for work and we just give them money to help them out, that is okay. Thanks.

Sounds like I should start that nonprofit, it is exactly what I wanted. Thank you.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#189

Post by proberts »

mslack616 wrote: post #178

Hey there Peter, my dad got to submit petitions for both my grandma and me for U.S permanent residency just before the pandemic blew up. How long does that usually take? and Do you think it will take even longer because of the pandemic? I'm 28 and my grandma is 85, we both live in El Salvador if that makes any difference/is of any relevancy. Thanks!

Unfortunately, the first proclamation (I believe the first) suspended the issuance of immigrant visas with very limited exceptions and it's still in effect so the processing of your and your grandmother's immigrant visa applications could be delayed.
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