Thursday, June 22, 2017

Trump administration has plan to scrap ‘startup visa’ rule

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
The Trump administration plans to delay and ultimately scrap a rule that would allow some foreign entrepreneurs to stay in the U.S. and build their companies, according to an administration official citing a final draft of a Federal Register notice.

The International Entrepreneur Rule, the closest the United States has come to the “startup visa” Silicon Valley has long sought, was approved by the Department of Homeland Security in January during President Barack Obama’s waning hours in office. It was supposed to go into effect July 17.

According to the notice, the department plans to push back the rule’s effective date to March. During this time, the department will pursue steps — which include a public notice and comment period — to rescind the rule altogether.
There's more:
But critics say the rule’s use of so-called “parole” authority with respect to visitors from abroad is problematic. In this case, the term parole means that individuals are not formally admitted into the U.S. — as they would be with a work visa such as an H-1B — but legally can stay for a temporary period.


A foreigner can remain in the country under U.S. parole if he or she presents a “humanitarian or significant public benefit.” The Obama administration argued that the jobs created and capital attracted by entrepreneurs constitute a “significant public benefit.” But critics of the rule say it is an abuse of the government’s parole power.

“Parole is supposed to be reserved for short term and emergency purposes,” said Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports tighter immigration policies. “Previous administrations have pushed the envelope on parole, and the Obama administration kicked right through the envelope and claimed that the existence of the parole authority meant that the president could admit anyone.”
Imagine that from the Obama administration/regime.