178: Empowering Global Innovation: Immigration Challenges and Solutions with Sam Newbold

Sophie Alcorn Podcast

What inspired a leading New York City immigration attorney to carve out a niche in the startup ecosystem? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Sam Newbold, whose passion for international human rights led him to the intersection of law and entrepreneurship. Discover how Sam turned his interest in humanitarian work into a thriving career, navigating the complexities of immigration law during a pivotal time for foreign entrepreneurs, especially in the vibrant New York startup scene.

We break down the intricacies of L and EB-5 visa cases, focusing on the unique challenges faced during and after the Trump administration. From the increased scrutiny on venture capital funding to the involvement of agencies like FinCEN, Sam shares invaluable insights and practical advice on leveraging government grants, university partnerships, and economic development corporations. Listen in as we explore how these resources can support immigrant founders in securing their entrepreneurial dreams.

Lastly, we delve into the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and compare it with the EB-1A green card category, highlighting their respective benefits and challenges for tech startups. Sam reveals the nuances of capital requirements, job creation mandates, and the recent legislative changes impacting these visa programs. We also touch on the Biden administration's executive order on artificial intelligence and its implications for national interest waivers in STEM fields. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the dynamic field of startup immigration law.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Navigating L and EB-5 visas for immigrant entrepreneurs

• EB-5 investor visa for startups

• Updating EB-2 Schedule A for STEM

• EB-1A vs EB-5 Green Card Comparison

• Understanding government scrutiny on venture capital funding

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

https://engineering.nyu.edu/research-innovation/entrepreneurship/nyu-tandon-future-labs

https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/27/ask-sophie-whatever-happened-to-international-entrepreneur-parole/

Website: https://www.csglaw.com/people/samuel-newbold/

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelnewbold/

Alcorn Immigration Law:

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 72: Special Visas for Talent from Specific Countries

• Episode 106: How to Set Up Your Company for Immigration Success

• Episode 172: Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Faris Alami’s Path from Refugee to Entrepreneur

• Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

• Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy course for best practices for securing the O-1A visa, EB-1A green card, or the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card—the top options for startup founders. Use promotion code ILTS for 20% off the enrollment fee.