Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club & co-founder of greencard.inc. :)
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Now, onto the newsletter.
You're receiving this email, alongside 32,000+ immigrants, as part of the Unshackled weekly newsletter. Immigration is a complex world. So every Wednesday, I simplify that by sharing breaking news, free webinar invites, & latest trends. If you find value in reading it, share your unique referral code with a lucky friend. If this was forwarded to you, get your own here! Read all the past editions here. 💃 |
This week's TL;DR
📌 UNfold: Breaking news
Court denies preliminary injunction on Trump’s DEI executive orders
On May 2, 2025, a court upheld President Trump’s DEI executive orders, including EO 14173. Contractors must certify that DEI programs don't violate antidiscrimination laws.
The court ruled the order targets only illegal DEI practices, not all efforts.
Contractors should review programs with legal counsel to stay compliant.
Trump targets sanctuary cities and undocumented immigrants in new orders
On April 28, President Trump signed two executive orders targeting undocumented immigrants and sanctuary cities. One expands police powers and threatens officials who block enforcement.The other seeks to cut federal funds and limit benefits in non-compliant areas. Supporters cite public safety; critics raise civil rights concerns.
Undocumented immigrants can't get REAL IDs, but may still get other state IDs
Undocumented immigrants cannot obtain a REAL ID, which requires proof of legal U.S. residency. However, states can issue non-compliant IDs to individuals who don’t meet REAL ID requirements. While these IDs don’t confirm someone’s immigration status, they may indicate that their lawful presence hasn’t been verified. The Department of Homeland Security allows such IDs to be issued for non-federal purposes, but they cannot be used for things like air travel. Non-compliant IDs are not proof of undocumented status, as they may be issued for other reasons.
🎁 UNlock: Relevant resources
[Free lawyer AMA: May 13, 6:30 PM PST] U.S. immigration Q&A with a Lawyer [ft. Attorney Allison]
Join a free lawyer Q&A with Allison Kranz, an immigration lawyer with over 15 years of experience. Whether you have questions about the new administration, talent visas, or filing green cards, this is the place to be. This will be happening every second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM PST to 7:30 PM PST. RSVP to secure your spot.
[Free in-person event: May 13th, 6:30 PM PST] Green card through Investment: EB-5 visa for founders
Join a free event about the EB-5 Immigrant investor program with EB5Loan. Get expert insights on securing up to $400K in financing, building a strong EB-5 case, and using EB-5 to secure a green card without giving up your startup dreams. This session is perfect for immigrant founders and advisors navigating U.S. green card options. RSVP here.
[Free webinar: June 3rd, 6:30 PM PST] Building a strong profile for talent visas [ft. Soundarya & Nikin Tharan]
Join a free webinar where Nikin Tharan (my co-founder & EB-1A recipient) and I show up to address all your questions. This will be happening every first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM PST to 7:30 PM PST. It's been so fun to meet some of you, answer your questions, & talk about the EB-1A Copilot program. RSVP for the next webinar right away & claim your spot!
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partner
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👉 Want to put yourself in front of 32,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.
⚖️ UNshackle: The #1 event for high-skilled immigrants
Unshackled Conference 2025 is the largest and most influential event for skilled immigrants in the U.S. Come meet 1,000+ ambitious immigrants, tech leaders, founders, investors, and lawyers over 2 days in August 2025.
Top 5 reasons to attend:
- Get free consult from 10+ lawyers who will spend all day (Aug 16th) answering your questions - saving you hundreds of dollars in consultation fees
- Join a Job Fair where you can meet 50+ visa-friendly companies that are actively hiring and will sponsor (hosted with MigrateMate)
- Meet 40+ expert speakers. This includes former White House staff, Forbes 30U30 founders, EB-1 recipients, top investors, and influencers you follow on social media
- Enter your startup into a "PitchFest" to participate in and win rewards worth thousands, press coverage, and AWS credits
- ...and relax with a stand-up comedy show by one of your favorite immigrant comedians :)
This is only the beginning.
We will continue adding ways to make this uniquely valuable for you.
Use code "NEWSLETTER10" for 10% off.
Are you an EB-1/NIW/O-1 aspirant? Join our flagship course for $299 taught by an attorney.
We've launched three flagship courses consisting of 60+ in-depth modules that walk through every step of filing and getting an EB-1A, NIW, and O-1A. Don't worry though—there's little legal jargon. This is for you if you want to escape the H-1B lottery or the 100-year green card backlog and secure your future in America based on merit. Click here to join for $299 today. 🚀
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Until next week, stay lovely.
Yours truly,
Soundarya 💚
💡 None of the information shared in this newsletter is meant to be legal advice. If you're looking for legal advice, speak to a lawyer or visit the Unshackled lawyer directory with vetted lawyer recommendations.
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