> But those same startups have to jump through a million hoops just for the right to exist in our borders.
> I don't claim to know to what extent our economy could be affected positively or negatively, but it is real.
The question then is, who are we trying to help here? Do we want to help the immigrants or the American economy?
Unless, we can show how the hassle of immigrants trying to setup startup is seriously damaging our economy, then this starts to look more and more like we just want to provide some convenience for the immigrant workers. Of course, we should provide convenience, and should certainly not make it difficult on purpose, but that is not a top priority. We shouldn't be called xenophobes if we don't push this task to the priority of our things to do at the moment.
> Do we want to help the immigrants or the American economy?
These aren't mutually exclusive. I was an immigrant from Canadian (first on TN, then H1), started a company with an American co-founder, provided opportunities for hundreds of Americans to make money doing what they do best - teach. American economy +1.
I learned a ton, met some amazing people, got some good experience, and am confident that I could do it again. Immigrant +1.
Problem is that US policy makes it difficult to do it again without an American co-founder.
And this is what I don't understand: doesn't America want start risk-takers who leave their country to come and start businesses, grow the total pie, and earn a small slice of it? Isn't that how the country became so great?
> I don't claim to know to what extent our economy could be affected positively or negatively, but it is real.
The question then is, who are we trying to help here? Do we want to help the immigrants or the American economy?
Unless, we can show how the hassle of immigrants trying to setup startup is seriously damaging our economy, then this starts to look more and more like we just want to provide some convenience for the immigrant workers. Of course, we should provide convenience, and should certainly not make it difficult on purpose, but that is not a top priority. We shouldn't be called xenophobes if we don't push this task to the priority of our things to do at the moment.