Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)
BIG UPDATE: In case you missed it, we launched a new scholarship last week for international students in America, giving discounts on our lifetime membership! So far, we've already had 150+ applicants and offered scholarship between 30-100% off on our lifetime membership to at least half of them.
This scholarship is open to ANY student currently on an F-1, OPT, or STEM OPT in America.
By becoming a member of the Unshackled Community, you get access to benefits worth thousands of $$$, including:
- Free consults with nationally recognized immigration lawyers (each worth $500)
- Access to 15+ past recipients of O1/EB1/NIW visas
- Free masterclasses with experts on how to build a winning profile
- Access to a database of 100+ awards, memberships, judging competitions, and publications
Don’t miss out on this opportunity -- apply now and take the next step toward your immigration journey with Unshackled!
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
Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Goods from Countries Ditching the Dollar
Donald Trump announced a bold stance on the US dollar's role in global trade, stating that countries reducing their reliance on the dollar would face a 100% tariff on their goods. Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin, Trump criticized the ongoing de-dollarisation trend, claiming the dollar has been under siege for eight years. This move comes as India seeks to increase trade using the Rupee, challenging the dollar's dominance.
The U.S. Department of State has announced that the EB-2 visa limit for fiscal year 2024 has been reached. No more EB-2 visas will be issued until October 1, 2024, when the new fiscal year begins. This affects employers and foreign workers with exceptional abilities or advanced degrees who were planning to use the EB-2 visa program. Meanwhile, employers can prepare for the FY 2025 visa window.
Federal judge pauses Biden’s "Keeping Families Together" program
A federal judge has extended the block on Biden’s “Keeping Families Together” program until September 23, though applications remain open. The Biden administration has resumed its immigration program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela with stricter vetting. A new report calls for U.S. immigration reform to better attract top international talent. The Catholic Diocese of Paterson is suing over a policy change affecting religious workers’ green cards.
🎁 UNlock: Relevant Resources
If you're an EB-1A aspirant, this is for you. Join the MAHGU International Conference on Data Science and AI Integration on September 20-21, 2024 to both present as well as get your work published. This is an opportunity for anyone who are in the data science, AI, and R&D fields. The fee is $365 (₹30,500) and includes publication and presentation certificates. For more details, email editor-in-chief@hgu.ac.in or hit reply and let us know and we'll connect you with the editor! (Our partner professor can help you with topic selection along with putting together your presentation and paper.)
[Free Webinar] AMA with former consulate visa officers [Sept 25th, 6:30 PST]
Come join a free webinar with former consulate officers. In this session, Dean and Düden will focus on the B1/B2 visa process for the parents and families of H1B, O1, and EB visa holders. They will cover the specific requirements and strategies for successfully obtaining a B1/B2 visa, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating strong ties to the home country and the purpose of the visit. Don't miss out!
[Article] Can Employers Recover Visa Sponsorship Costs? Understanding Clawback Provisions
For employers out there: you may use "clawback" provisions to recover some costs if your employee resigns early. While clawback provisions cannot apply to H-1B, E-3, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, or J-1 visa fees, they can recover costs related to PERM labor certifications, I-140 immigrant petitions, and I-485 adjustment of status applications. Clawback provisions must be written into employment agreements and may not be deducted from final paychecks without consent.
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partner
Need a bank account for your business? Enter Mercury. I've been using Mercury for almost 2 years now. It's been smooth sailing since the get-go. With Mercury, you can generate invoices, generate credit cards, create a Savings account, and send international wires with just a few clicks. As an added bonus, you get $250 once you deposit $10,000 into your account within the first 90 days. Click here to use your special link and setup a Mercury account today!
👉 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 5 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.