Immigration | The Vertical

LA’s ‘Most Flammable’ Car: Why Waymo’s Founder Sebastian Thrun Supports Immigration

Burned and vandalized Waymo robotaxis have become symbols of LA’s outrage over Trump’s immigration crackdown. Less widely known is that Sebastian Thrun, Waymo’s German-born founder, has been a longstanding advocate for immigration.

Immigration in Flux: 12 Countries Barred from U.S., Trump’s Gold Card Plan in Limbo

President Donald Trump is doubling down on hardline immigration policy, introducing a travel ban targeting 12 nations while promoting a $5 million “Gold Card” visa aimed at ultra-wealthy foreigners. One blocks the desperate; the other courts the elite — yet both face backlash and legal hurdles.

Canadian Fintech Is Feeling the ‘Stay Home’ Mood

Cross-border tensions fueled by Trump’s trade war are forcing Canadian startups to hit pause on U.S. expansion. Amid the uncertainty, fintech is gaining traction as businesses look for tools to navigate the chaos.

Tahmina Watson, founder, Watson Immigration Law

American Dream Attorney: How the Startup Visa Became Tahmina Watson’s Life Mission

For over a decade, Tahmina Watson, an immigration lawyer, bestselling author, and podcaster, has been advocating for the startup visa. Her books became testimony in Congress, helped shape new policies, and guided founders through the complexities of U.S. immigration.

Immigration Updates: What’s Next for International Founders?

The most significant development to watch is the introduction of a new extreme vetting process, which, according to legal experts, is a de facto travel ban.

Elizabeth Maruyama, founder, America Visa Advisory. Credit: America Visa Advisory.

How Elizabeth Maruyama Helps Thai Community Innovate and Prosper

Elizabeth Maruyama, founder of America Visa Advisory, has opened a new pathway for Thai entrepreneurs in the U.S. — one that goes beyond traditional restaurants. She encourages them to “immigrate smarter” by launching innovative, high-margin businesses that succeed in today’s tech-driven economy.

Erin Elliott, founder, Elliott Immigration Law LLC. Credit: Erin Elliott

How Immigration Attorney Erin Elliott Works to Make Atlanta the Tech Capital of the South

When Erin Elliott first started her legal practice, she worried it would be all about ‘filing papers’ and lack excitement. Fortunately, she was wrong. Today, Erin is at the forefront of shaping immigration policies and driving Atlanta’s rise as a tech hub for international entrepreneurs.

How I Secured Capital for My Early-Stage Startup as an Immigrant

I came to the U.S. with a dream of building my own business. Like many immigrants, I lacked a strong network for a ‘friends and family’ round. How did I manage to secure 150K in funding with nothing but an idea, while still on an H1B visa?

This Hiring Platform Empowers Immigrants, Single Parents, and Seniors

Holly Diamond, a first-generation Korean immigrant raised in New York City, never planned to be a startup founder. But the challenges that her parents faced as restaurant owners in the pandemic pushed her in a new direction. Holly launched her hiring platform, WorkOnward, to connect small businesses with underserved job seekers.

Trump vs. Harris: What the Election Means for International Tech Founders

With E-day upon us, immigrant entrepreneurs — many of whom cannot vote — must navigate the implications of how Americans cast their ballots. What is to be expected depending on who wins?

H1B Hustle: Immigrant Founders’ Playbook for U.S. Visa Success

Katya Stelmakh, a leading business immigration attorney, offers key insights for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the H1B visa process.

From refugee to fintech trailblazer: How Lamine Zarrad is improving America’s credit scores

Born in Azerbaijan during its time as a Soviet Republic, Austin-based entrepreneur Lamine Zarrad has learned to not take freedom for granted. He now aims to liberate Americans from the burden of poor credit, a problem that plagues half of the U.S. population.

Connecting the dots: How an Indian-Ukrainian team links international students with U.S. universities

The founders of Kandor, an AI-powered marketplace helping Indian students apply to graduate programs in the U.S., have never met in person. How did they build their product amidst global disruptions, across continents and time zones?

The Vertical announces IMMIGRANT FOUNDERS REPORT 2024. Showcase your leadership in supporting diversity

The Vertical’s Immigrant Founders Report is the first in-depth examination of international talent in the U.S. startup ecosystem.

Olga Ayo, Founder and CEO, Citizen Concierge. Credit: Citizen Concierge

From attorney to startup founder: Olga Ayo challenges status quo with technology

More than six years ago Slovakia-born lawyer Olga Ayo found herself with a newborn, no means of income or work authorization. She navigated the complexities of U.S. immigration on her own — and succeeded. This experience inspired her to establish her own legal practice and launch a platform to simplify the visa application process for others.

Left to right: Yasaman Soroori and Tania Cruz, co-founders at Consulta Immigration. Credit: Consulta Immigration

How immigrant entrepreneurs streamline green card applications with technology

With the U.S. migrant crisis reaching epic proportions, creators of innovative tech solutions seek to simplify complex paperwork for visas and green cards.

6 top startup accelerators for immigrant founders

Choosing the right accelerator can sometimes determine success or failure for international entrepreneurs who rarely have a strong support network. Which is right for you? Here are some diversity-focused accelerators that support immigrant founders.

“We regret to inform you: You don’t fit into the box.” Which U.S. visa is best for immigrant techpreneurs?

For years, lawmakers have discussed the Startup Visa Act. Unfortunately, such a policy is still non-existent, leaving international tech founders without a clear immigration path to follow. Here’s how to fit into the right immigration box and improve the likelihood of an approved application, according to Michael Catalotti, an immigration lawyer.

Is bootstrapping the most destructive American startup fantasy?

Stories of entrepreneurs, coming from humble beginnings and building their businesses from scratch, is an inspiration for many immigrant founders. However, not all of them are real, warns lifelong entrepreneur and mentor Michael Burtov. The ultimate American dream might be just a fantasy for those dreamers coming to the land of opportunity with no capital or connections.

Permissionless innovation: How to survive the Wild West of entrepreneurship

When it comes to new technology, America still has a “Wild West” culture, where the line isn’t always clear between pioneers and outlaws. Mike Burtov, a star entrepreneur and mentor who brought multiple startups from their initial idea to millions in revenue and funding, believes that “fortune favors the bold” who have a worldview with no limits. He recommends immigrant startup founders to embrace the concept of “permissionless innovation” if they want to succeed.