Imagine pivoting from a culinary career to becoming a prominent immigration lawyer. That's exactly what Jason Susser did. From growing up with an esteemed immigration lawyer mother to making a dramatic career shift from the culinary arts to law, Jason's story is a testament to following one's true calling. We also discuss the critical role of community and mentorship in supporting founders navigating the complex immigration system.

The landscape of H-1B and O-1 visas for entrepreneur-founders is shifting, and it’s essential to keep up. Jason and I break down the recent changes in USCIS's employer-employee relationship definition, especially for those who are 100% owner-founders. We also tackle the prevailing wage requirements and the unique advantages of the O-1 visa for entrepreneurs. You'll hear our real-world experiences with international entrepreneur parole and how the U.S. stacks up against countries like Canada in supporting global founders. Additionally, we explore the unpredictable nature of visa adjudications, sharing firsthand accounts of successes and setbacks in O-1, EB-1, and EB-2 NIW visas.

• Specialized immigration practices and startup visas

• Conflicting immigration program requirements

• AI tool for attorneys

• Inconsistencies in immigration case approvals

• Ethical considerations in government filings

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.

Website: https://www.visalaw.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-susser-940b11126

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• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 147: Navigating the EB-2NIW Journey with Nadia Zaidi

• Episode 164: REPLAY: What Makes a Strong H-1B Petition

• Episode 181: Balancing Business and Justice: Fiona McEntee on U.S. Immigration and Startup Law

• 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Hanlon, the Executive Director of the Air and Space Law Program at the University of Mississippi and co-founder of For All Moonkind, to discuss the burgeoning field of space law. Michelle offers a unique glimpse into the legal landscape governing our cosmic ambitions.

Learn about the challenges and implications of the current space treaties, the absence of immigration laws for space, and what this means for the future of space travel and asteroid mining. Michelle delves into the stringent Planetary Protection Protocols outlined in the Outer Space Treaty and their role in preventing contamination of celestial bodies. We also touch on the concept of space heritage, drawing parallels to Earth's conservation efforts, and examine the insufficient protection of lunar landmarks under current international law.

With government support helping startups thrive, Michelle predicts a normalized human presence on the moon by 2050 and discusses the broad spectrum of opportunities in the space economy. From specialized spacesuits to agriculture solutions, the possibilities are endless. We also explore how everyday skills on Earth, like cooking and teaching, have valuable applications in space.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The complexities and implications of current space treaties and the absence of immigration laws for space

• The stringent Planetary Protection Protocols and their role in preventing contamination of celestial bodies

• Legal challenges of innovations like bacteria that convert metal into soil on Mars

• The concept of space heritage and the insufficient protection of lunar landmarks under current international law

• Predictions for the future of the space industry, including a normalized human presence on the moon by 2050

• How everyday skills on Earth have valuable applications in space

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.

Website: forallmoonkind.org

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-l-d-hanlon/

X: @hanlonesq

Instagram: @spacelawyerhanlon

Facebook: Michelle Slawecki Hanlon

• Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

• Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

• Episode 171: Navigating Space Governance, Peace, and Inclusive Leadership

• Episode 173: In Orbit with Alice Carruth: Insights on Space Exploration, Communication, and Innovation

• Episode 176: Foreign Workers & Export Controls in the Space Industry: Insights from Jack Shelton

• 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 EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.