• Tahmina Watson is an immigration lawyer in Seattle who often works with tech employees on visas.
• She described recent rounds of layoffs and hiring freezes as some of the worst she's seen.
• She says laid-off visa holders can consider a self-employed visa if they want to start a business.

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This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tahmina Watson, an immigration lawyer from Seattle. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was a barrister, or lawyer, in the United Kingdom before immigrating to the United States in 2005. I started practicing US immigration law in 2006 after sitting for the New York bar examination. However, living in Washington without a state license limited my practice areas.

Initially I didn't want to practice immigration law, thinking that because I'm an empath it would pull at my heartstrings all the time. I eventually realized it's so much more than asylum and refugee law — I love working with intelligent and innovative business leaders trying to change the world and make it a better place for everyone.

My clients want the 'American dream'

They usually...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNza...