AI Startup Co-founder’s Green Card Application Denied

In a surprising turn of events, an AI startup co-founder faced an unexpected hurdle in his pursuit of US permanent residency. Yuchen, the entrepreneur in question, revealed via a post on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that his green card application was denied by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The agency argued that his professional contributions did not extend “beyond that of Apple, Inc.”, a claim Yuchen disputes vehemently.

Confusion Over Alleged Apple Connection

Yuchen expressed his bewilderment, highlighting that not only did the USCIS mention Apple, Inc., but they also incorrectly referred to him as the Apple Chief Technology Officer. He clarified, “I have NEVER worked at Apple!” In fact, Yuchen has a strong academic background with a computer science PhD, co-founded an AI startup, and successfully raised $20 million in funding.

Call for Reform in High-Skilled Immigration

Feeling the sting of what he describes as “absurd reasoning” by the USCIS, Yuchen emphasized the importance of reforming the US immigration system, especially for high-skilled immigrants. He hopes that influential figures like Elon Musk, Sriram Krishnan, and David Sacks will bring attention to this issue and advocate for a more merit-based immigration process.

Implications for the Tech Industry
The denial of Yuchen’s application may raise concerns within the tech community about how immigration policies impact skilled professionals eager to contribute to the industry’s growth in the United States.

Yuchen’s case sheds light on the critical need for clarity and logic in immigration proceedings, and the potential misuse or misunderstanding within bureaucratic processes.