US advocacy group shows pitfalls of H1B visa change

Washington, March 30: The Trump administration’s proposal to withdraw the provision of giving work permits to the spouses of the H-1B visa workers, most of them Indians, will make America less attractive for foreign talent, according to an influential US immigration advocacy body.

Since 2015, the spouses of H-1B workers, who are in the process for becoming permanent residents, have been allowed to work. However, Trump administration is considering rescinding this policy of the previous Obama administration, the the American Immi-gration Council said on Thursday.

“This policy makes the US a more appealing place for foreign professionals considering H-1Bs because their spouses who come on H-4 visas can continue their careers and contribute to the family income,” it said in a new report. Arguing against Trump administration’s reported move to rescind its policy on H-4 visas, which is issued to the dependents of H-1B visa holders, the council said authorising H-4 spouses to work is advantageous as it allows them to work and brings the US in line with other countries competing to attract talented foreign nationals. The highly-skilled individuals US employers hope to attract and employ on a H-1B non immigrant visa often have a spouse or family to consider. The potential worker may have a spouse with an established career or a family needing the support of two working parents, it said. — PTI