[eshvk]

I am confused: Is there a reason why those _shouldn't_ be startups? If there is a reasonably baseline of jobs, $J being created in a certain reasonably timeframe, $T, with a certain amount of equity, $D being generated. Why should the U.S. government have an issue with how cool or fancy your startup is?

[thinkisgood]

They should be. The problem is that there are very little barriers to entry to these start ups and as such, pretty much anyone can start one and have a visa.

The problem with setting benchmarks are where do you set them? There is already a program know as the EB-5 program that requires you to invest $1MM ($500k in economic development zones) and create 10 jobs and after 3-4 years you can get a green card.

[eshvk]

I don't have a say in this matter but wouldn't this be a possible solution to the illegal immigrant issue? If they are in the process of creating jobs for U.S. citizens or allege that they can, give them a visa or "legalize them". If at any time they become a public charge or it turns out that they have not achieved their objectives within the reasonable time frame given, revoke the visa? Presumably this can be a one time thing only.

[raganesh]

PG's post from a couple of months ago, titled "Startup = Growth", might be relevant: http://paulgraham.com/growth.html