Hey Peter, been reading these threads for a while and really appreciate your support. I'm on STEM OPT and I want to keep my options open in case I don't get an H1b by the time it ends. What realistically are my options without affecting my future chances at a green card? I've heard that pathways like Day 1 CPT can lead to future I140 denials, which make me skeptical of going down that route.
The nonimmigrant visa applications of those who get day 1 CPT tend to be scrutinized more closely but as long as the program is real, the visas eventually get issued. And the same for green card applications. While this might result in greater scrutiny, green cards get issued if the program is real. So if you go this route, just make sure it's a legit program (classes, homework, tests, etc.). The other option is the O-1. Of course I don't know your background but the O-1 is one option those who don't get selected in the lottery look at.
