On August 2, 2011 the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the USCIS Director held a press conference and announced a new initiative to promote start-up enterprises and to spur job creation in the United States.

Entrepreneurs, leaders in the venture capital world, and immigration lawyers have long complained about the negative impact of immigration rules and regulations on the ability of entrepreneurs to create start-up enterprises in the United States which will help the economy and lead to new jobs. It appears that Secretary Napolitano and Director Mayorkas now recognize this problem and are taking steps to create a more hospitable environment for entrepreneurs in the United States.

While many initiatives lack specificity, or do not make substantial structural changes, we hope that this initiative will change the attitude of USCIS adjudicators and make them view applications from entrepreneurs in a more favorable light.

The one very interesting new proposal is the possibility that entrepreneurs may be able to obtain permanent resident status based upon the national interest waiver process. Our firm has extensive experience in processing and filing NIW applications and we look forward to working with entrepreneurs who seek permanent residence status through this new approach.

Time will tell whether there is any substance to this new initiative. We hope that USCIS will take this initiative seriously in order to support entrepreneurs who want to create new businesses in the United States.