Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club & co-founder of greencard.inc. :)
EXCITING NEWS: On August 16, we're getting 10 top immigration lawyers in one room. Meet them face-to-face at our Legal Lounge happening at the Unshackled Conference!
They'll be around all day to answer your questions and offer free consultations - something that'd cost hundreds of $$$ if you were to get it on your own. Spots are limited - grab your ticket now with code NEWSLETTER10.
Also, if you're a company looking to hire top immigrant talent, fill this form and share your interest.
Now, onto the newsletter.
You're receiving this email, alongside 35,500+ 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
[NOTE: We usually only share 3 breaking news items. But, given the turmoil of last week, we had to include one more.]
Trump administration halts student visa interviews at Consulates
The Trump administration has paused new student visa interviews as it considers tougher social media checks for all international applicants. U.S. embassies have been told to stop scheduling appointments until new guidance arrives. This could delay visa processing and hit universities financially, especially those relying on foreign students. Critics say the move unfairly targets peaceful protesters and adds confusion to an already murky system.
Judge blocks Trump admin from revoking international students’ legal status
A U.S. federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking the legal status of international students. The ruling came just after Trump barred Harvard from enrolling foreign students and told current ones to leave or transfer. Judge Jeffrey S. White also stopped immigration officials from arresting or detaining the affected students.
US immigration nominee targets international student jobs
President Trump’s pick to lead USCIS, Joseph Edlow, has announced plans to end Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT programs that let international students work in the U.S. after graduation. These programs are a critical bridge to jobs and H-1B visas for thousands of students, especially in tech and science fields. Edlow believes post-graduation work permits misuse immigration laws, but universities and business leaders warn that scrapping OPT could push global talent away from the U.S. and hurt innovation.
U.S. passes House bill to introduce remittance tax of 3.5%
In a close 215 - 214 vote, the U.S. House passed Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes a 3.5% remittance tax on money transfers sent abroad by immigrants. While this is a reduction from the initially proposed 5%, the new tax could still have major consequences for India, which receives over $36 billion annually in remittances from the U.S. Experts predict a potential 10 -15% drop in funds sent back, impacting H-1B workers, F-1 students, and NRIs. The bill is yet to pass the Senate. If it does, it'll kick in from January 1, 2026.
🎁 UNlock: Relevant resources
[Free webinar: Today, 7:00 PM PDT] From H-1B to O-1 & EB-1A [ft. Hemant Gangolia, YC Alumnus]
Join us for a special session with Hemant Gangolia, YC founder and Indian immigrant, who’ll share how he navigated the U.S. immigration maze from H-1B at McKinsey, Walmart, and Meta to securing both the O-1 and EB-1A. If you're a founder aiming for a U.S. startup and green card success, this is one you don’t want to miss! RSVP now.
[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, . RSVP for the next webinar right away & claim your spot!
[Free evaluation] Book a free evaluation for your talent visa
Curious whether you’re a good fit for the O-1, EB-2 or EB-1 visa? Get a free profile evaluation from experts at Greencard Inc who helped 100+ applicants like you. You’ll receive clear, personalized feedback on your strengths and what to work on to get closer to approval. Book your call now, only 25 spots available!
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partner
Are you an employer? Hire top talent at Unshackled Conference: We're hosting the first visa-friendly job fair to help talented international students get jobs - and help you hire top talent in STEM. Whether you want to hire an ML engineer, a product lead, or a marketing manager, you'll find qualified people in one room. Claim one of the 50 spots we have available. Also, it costs you $0 to hire international students!
👉 Want to put yourself in front of 35,500+ 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 15-16, 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
- Join the extraordinary lounge to meet 50+ EB1/O1 recipients in one room for exclusive connections and opportunities.
- ...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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