Indian H-1B holders see silver lining

As he gains in experience and comes face to face with realities, US President Donald Trump is giving up some of his pet but ill-thought-out obsessions and responding to the apprehensions of sections of genuine immigrants. The impulsiveness of the early weeks in office is not completely out but is being tempered somewhat. Significantly, while proposing a merit-based immigration system to Congress, Trump has skirted any reference to H1B visas which are the most sought-after by Indian IT professionals. Evidently, he now realizes that Indian IT pros were making a major contribution to the US and that their drain may well lead to a shortage of skills in this key area. Besides, they are overwhelmingly peace-loving .What Trump continues to be opposed to is the sponsoring of their extended families by immigrants, an area in which Indians stand to lose the most with their close family ties. Aged parents will suffer most but then that is how it is with Trump’s brand of catering aggressively to ‘national interest’ bereft of the emotional content. Trump had last month announced plans to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme that had provided two-year work permits to the “dreamers” that Trump called "unconstitutional". Democratic leaders in Congress who had hoped to forge a deal with Trump to protect younger immigrants or "dreamers," who were brought to the US illegally as children were apparently snubbed in his new scheme of things. The President called for establishing a new point-based system for awarding the green cards (to lawful permanent residents) based on factors that allow individuals to successfully assimilate and support themselves financially; eliminate the diversity visa lottery and limit the number of refugees to prevent the abuse of the US Refugee Admissions Programme. Besides overhauling the country's green-card system, the Trump administration's wish list also includes the funding of a controversial border wall along the USMexico border and a crackdown on unaccompanied minors entering the country. Trump also proposed to increase the number of officials involved in enforcement, hiring an additional 10,000 Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers and 1,000 attorneys, 370 immigration judges and 300 federal prosecutors which points to an intent to enforce immigration laws more stringently. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in defence said that Trump has put forth a series of proposals that will restore the rule of law to immigration system, prioritise America's safety and security, and end the lawlessness. Democrats and rights groups think otherwise but Trump couldn’t care less about those whose views don’t fall within his ambit.