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USCIS Initiative Demonstrates Support for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

May 24, 2022

USCIS Initiative Demonstrates Support for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Now is a great time to be an immigrant entrepreneur in America. Immigrants are natural entrepreneurs and USCIS is hoping to encourage and harness their energy by creating a new initiative that will increase the job creation potential of employment-based and high-skilled visa categories. They have dubbed this program Entrepreneurs in Residence ("EIR"), which is an initiative that uses policy efforts within the framework of existing immigration laws to promote and help grow the U.S. economy and American jobs. The new USCIS outlook on this valuable group may lead to new laws that fix the ill-fitting organization of current Federal laws and policies across the agency.

USCIS began by seeking external experts including entrepreneurs, business leaders, and academics to work in-house reviewing USCIS policies, practices and training. As one of the first federal agencies to embrace this tool for government innovation, USCIS has focused this inaugural initiative on foreign entrepreneurs and startup enterprises.

One word that the EIR team hopes to be known for is "pragmatic," which is a rarity in the world of immigration. The EIR team is focused on business realities and assesses current policies, practices, and training across a range of existing nonimmigrant visa categories used by entrepreneurs to provide pathways that are clear and consistent. Their work has led to a greater understanding within USCIS of the characteristics and challenges of foreign entrepreneurs.

The EIR team attempts to make the complicated world of immigration understandable and in many ways does so. The most visible change is the newly launched Entrepreneur Pathways web portal, which can be found here. The web portal provides information to immigrant entrepreneurs regarding the visa process and the different types of visas available to them. The layout and information is very user-friendly which is a refreshing change from the USCIS and National Visa Center websites. Of course, immigrants should always consider consulting with an attorney in order to submit a top quality application.

The EIR team has also focused on training officers who focus on entrepreneurs and the environment for startup companies and early-stage innovations. They have also modified Request for Evidence (RFE) templates for certain nonimmigrant visa categories to incorporate new sources of evidence related to entrepreneurs and startup companies into the adjudicative process.

USCIS has extended the EIR initiative through April 2013. The EIR team will continue to expand its work to existing immigrant visa pathways that may enable foreign entrepreneurs to create businesses and pursue a path to permanent residency in the U.S.

Hopefully, as Congress begins to consider comprehensive immigration reform, they will create a new visa specifically for this valuable group of immigrants to continue the momentum that is growing with these EIR developments.

About the author: Ms. Thomas received her B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 2009, and her J.D. from the University of Tennessee in 2012 where she was Director of the College of Law's Pro Bono Program. Before coming to GKH, Ms. Thomas worked at several immigration non-profits and created the College of Law's U Visa Alternative Spring Break Program. She is a member of GKH's Immigration Group and focuses on all types of immigration matters including Deferred Action for DREAMers, family based immigration petitions, and employment based petitions. Ms. Thomas is committed to providing personalized, cost-effective immigration services.

This blog is not intended to create an attorney/client relationship or provide legal advice. Please contact the author if you have any questions or comments regarding the subject matter.

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Mid-South Super Lawyers Selects Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison P.C. Attorneys

November 27, 2024

Grant Konvalinka & Harrison, P.C. is pleased to announce that two (2) of its attorneys and counselors are named to the 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers Edition. In addition, three (3) attorneys were recognized in the Rising Stars category this year. The selected attorneys are recognized for this achievement of professional excellence and peer recognition. Each year, the Super Lawyers research team recognizes no more than 5% of Tennessee attorneys for this distinction and selects no more 2.5 % of attorneys in a state for the Rising Stars category based upon eligible candidates who are in practice for 10 years or less or 40 years old or younger.

The Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison Law firm is pleased to announce that Amanda Williams and Zachary Atchley have joined the firm as an Associates.

By Sandy Vander Griend • October 24, 2024

The Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison Law firm is pleased to announce that Amanda Williams and Zachary Atchley have joined the firm as an Associates. Amanda comes from the Golden State of California, specifically San Diego. Amanda attended Boston College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics. Amanda then attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she was a student-attorney in the Domestic Violence Clinic and the Expungement Clinic. She was also the Pro Bono Director during her third year of law school. Amanda was previously a summer associate with Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison during law school and joined the firm after her graduation in May 2024. Amanda handles primarily domestic relations issues. In her practice, she addresses a variety of topics such as divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity issues. Amanda strives to give zealous yet efficient representation while helping clients navigate one of the most emotional and challenging periods of their lives. When not in the office, Amanda can be found kayaking the rivers of Tennessee, running along the Tennessee Riverwalk, reading a great book, or cheering for the Tennessee Vols. Zachary Atchley is the second fourth-generation attorney on his father's side who benefitted greatly from the mentorship he received from both his father, Fielding H. Atchley, and brother Trevor F. Atchley, with whom he practiced law before joining Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison P.C. Zachary practices in the areas of General Civil & Commercial Litigation, Financial and Estate Planning, Probate Administration, and Business and Corporate Law. Zachary received his B.A. from Appalachian State University Graduate in 2006. While at Appalachian State, Zachary graduated from Watauga Residential College, an alternative honors program focused on writing, discussion, complex thinking, creativity, community, and curiosity. He received a Master of Public Administration with a Nonprofit Management Concentration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2010 and his J.D. from Lincoln Memorial University's Duncan School of Law in 2022. Law is Zachary's second-career as he has over 10 years' experience in nonprofit management, where he specialized in program development, grant writing and administration, organizational planning, and fundraising for nonprofits serving Chattanooga's disinvested neighborhoods and underserved populations. Throughout his life, Zachary has been an active volunteer, involved in both church and civic activities. As a boy scout, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. His law school emphasized the importance of engaging in community service and pro bono work is an important part of his practice. Zachary regularly volunteers at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences and Center for Creative Arts. where his daughters attend, serves as a Deacon. Sunday School Facilitator, and Worship Leader at First Christian Church Chattanooga, serves as co-president of Barking Legs Theater's Board of Directors, and serves the Citv of Chattanooga as a member of its Beer Board.

David Higney has been Invited to join the Alumni Board of Directors of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga

June 20, 2024

Grant, Konvalinka and Harrison congratulates one of their own, David Higney, on being invited to join the Alumni Board of Directors of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is excited to introduce the new board members. Each member brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to our community and a passion for supporting and advocating for UTC. The new board members include: Marla Cobb, David Higney, Joyce Lloyd, Lessie Lyttle, Walker Rhodes, Taylor Rowell, Victor Sims, and Brian Wright.

The Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison, P.C. law firm is pleased to announce that Melissa Weitzel has joined the firm as an associate.

May 10, 2024

The Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison, P.C. law firm is pleased to announce that Melissa Weitzel has joined the firm as an associate. Melissa will be practicing in Business and Corporate Law, Financial Services and Transactions, Governmental and Administrative Law, Litigation, and Labor and Employment. Melissa is a Gulfport, Mississippi native and graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Law School. Prior to joining the firm, Melissa worked as a Law Fellow in Vanderbilt University’s Office of the General Counsel where she assisted with a range of higher education matters including finance, labor and employment, intellectual property, and student affairs. During law school, Melissa participated in the Intellectual Property & the Arts Clinic where she represented small businesses in trademark filings and disputes. She completed a full-semester externship with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and a summer internship with USAID’s Justice for All Activity Ukraine. She served on the executive boards of the Space Law Society, the Entertainment & Sports Law Society, and OutLaw. Prior to law school, Melissa attended Mississippi State University where she graduated summa cum laude with degrees in Political Science and History. During her time as an undergraduate, she studied internationally at the University of Oxford and with Cornell University in Turin, Italy. At Mississippi State, Melissa worked as a Student Office Assistant for the Shackouls Honors College, served as Secretary-General of Mississippi Model Security Council, and as Vice-President of the College of Arts & Sciences’ Dean’s Student Advisory Council. Melissa is a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, and the Southeastern Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women (SETLAW). In her free time, Melissa enjoys practicing her (very underwhelming) Russian language skills, being active, and traveling with her loved ones.

What You need to Know about the New USCIS Fee Schedule By: Brittany T. Faith and Molly E. Green

March 5, 2024

New Fee Schedule Will Take Effect on April 1, 2024

Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison elects Attorney Kane Shepherd as Director

January 22, 2024

The Board of Directors of Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison ("GKH"), a Chattanooga law firm, are pleased to announce the election of Kane Shepherd as Director at the firm. Kane guides clients in all aspects of real estate matters, financial and lending transactions, and mergers & acquisitions. Kane represents clients ranging from startups to businesses with large international footprints. Kane is a native of Montana who joined the firm in 2019. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Montana, and received his J.D. with a concentration in business transactions from the University of Tennessee in 2018. Prior to joining GKH, Kane clerked at the Hamilton County Chancery Court for the Honorable Pamela A. Fleenor and the Honorable Jeffrey M. Atherton, and previously worked as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. To learn more about Mr. Shepherd, please visit his webpage at http://www.gkhpc.com . Contact him at 423-756-8400 or by email at kshepherd@gkhpc.com .