Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)
Exciting update: This week, Unshackled merged with Greencard Inc, another startup (founded by EB-1A recipients) meant to help more immigrants obtain talent visas. I've known the founders, Nikin and RK, for a while now. After several months of conversations, we realized that our visions align, and we can do a lot more together than ever on our own.
In the coming months, you can expect the following from us:
- Publishing high-quality courses & content around talent visas
- Launching a podcast with EB1/O1 holders & experts in general
- Democratizing access to services for profile-building
- Launching a copilot program for personalized support
- Building a tech product backed by AI for recommendations, and more.
If you're an EB1/O1/NIW aspirant looking for personalized support, book a free evaluation call with us here.
Finally, I'll never get tired of saying this: your support played a part in kicking off Unshackled, growing it, and making it happen. Thank you. 💚
Now, onto the newsletter.
You're receiving this email as part of the Unshackled weekly newsletter. Immigration is a complex world. So every Wednesday, I simplify that by sharing breaking news, free webinar invites, & latest trends. If you find value in reading it, forward this to a lucky friend. If this was forwarded to you, get your own here! Read all the past editions here. 💃 |
This week's TL;DR
📌 UNfold: Breaking news
On July 30, 2024, USCIS announced a second H-1B lottery to meet the FY 2025 regular cap, excluding the master’s cap due to sufficient selections. The lottery, completed on August 5, 2024, used existing registrations, revealing issues with fraud and misuse. Despite new integrity measures, data shows some companies unfairly increased their chances by multiple entries. Upcoming H-1B rule changes and the presidential election could impact future lotteries.
Good News: Federal Court Affirms Work Authorization for H-4 Visa Spouses Amid Industry Support
On August 2, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a rule allowing certain H-4 visa holders (spouses of H-1B workers) to work. The court rejected Save Jobs USA's challenge, which argued that the rule would disadvantage U.S. workers. This decision maintains the status quo for thousands of H-4 visa holders and supports continued work authorization. Tech giants argue that these work permits are crucial for attracting foreign talent. (Note: your spouse still needs an approved I-140 for you to get your EAD)
Bloomberg's August 2, 2024 report reveals that numerous staffing firms are manipulating the H-1B lottery system, exploiting its flaws to secure visas for less qualified workers and disadvantaging other applicants. One example is Cloud Big Data Technologies, which used multiple companies to enter the lottery over 3,000 times, winning over 300 H-1Bs. This practice has distorted the program, hurting U.S. workers and skilled immigrants while benefiting outsourcing firms.
🎁 UNlock: Resources
[Masterclass recording] Crafting Compelling Narratives for the Decision-Makers: (ft. Tamanna Ramesh)
We recently hosted Tamanna Ramesh, a former food scientist and career coach, who obtained her green card in under 8 years despite lacking a Ph.D., citations, or patents. Tamanna, now with Spark Career Services, guided us through her immigration journey and shared valuable strategies for NIW and EB-1 profile development, as well as tips on networking, negotiation, and crafting success narratives. Check it out!
[Article] New Data Shows Shift in U.S. Immigrant Origins and Trends in Legal Status
The U.S. is home to 46.1 million immigrants, accounting for 13.8% of the total population. The largest groups of immigrants come from Mexico, India, and China. Since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, there has been a significant shift in immigrant origins, with increasing numbers from Latin America and Asia. While most immigrants are in the U.S. legally, about 23% are unauthorized. The majority of immigrants reside in states like California and Texas, with significant numbers in major metropolitan areas.
Join this free webinar hosted by Legal Pad to learn how to open a new office in the U.S. and bring your employees from your home country using an L-1 work visa. They’ll explain the steps you need to take, answer your questions, and give you tips for a smooth process. Whether you’re a business owner or part of the team, this is a great chance to get clear, practical advice. Sign up now to save your spot!
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partner
Looking to lease a car but only need it a couple of days per week? Enter Upshift. Founded by an immigrant, Upshift is a fractional car leasing service offering a car that's there when you need it, and gone when you don't. I've used this for the past 2 months and love the flexibility. Now available in San Francisco and Oakland, CA. Discover car freedom with Upshift. Use promo code UNSHACKLED to get $100 off when you sign up. (If you live somewhere outside SF or Oakland and want to use this, request expansion here.)
👉 Wanna put yourself in front of 17,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.
⚖️ Finally, looking to consult with a lawyer?
Finding a trusted, vetted lawyer is hard. We've done the hard work by curating a list of 8 top attorneys we recommend consulting with. Whether you're looking for an EB-1A profile evaluation or to set up your business as a student, this is for you. Book a consultation today!
Until next week, stay superb.
Yours truly,
Soundarya 💚
💡 None of the information shared in this newsletter is meant to be legal advice. If you're looking for legal advice, speak to a lawyer, or hit reply and let me know so I can connect you with one.