US MAY PAUSE NEW H-1B VISAS: REPORT
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is considering suspending several categories of employment-based visas including H-1B for high-skilled foreigners and L-1 for internal company transfers, both very popular with Indian companies with US operations and Indians seeking to work in America. The Wall Street Journal said US president hasn’t yet signed on the proposal, which is part of a package of changes to work-related visas and authorisations for foreigners.
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is considering suspending several categories of employment-based visas including H-1B for high-skilled foreigners and L-1 for internal company transfers, both very popular with Indian companies with US operations and Indians seeking to work in America.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported this move, said US President Donald Trump hasn’t yet signed on the proposal, which is part of a package of changes to other work-related visas and authorisations for foreigners. An executive order is expected in a few weeks.
The plan also includes ending Obama-era work authorisation for spouses of H-1B visa holders cleared for green cards, which would mostly impact Indians. The waiting line for green cards is the longest for Indians.
Charges for H-1B visas could also be increased substantially to $20,000 from the current $460, in the form of a processing fee or a type of surcharge.
The move stems from the Trump administration’s efforts to boost employment in the country, which has seen record job losses caused by Covid-19 lockdowns. The aim now is to ensure that Americans have the first crack at jobs that become available once the country’s economy rebounds.
The suspension of foreign work visas will extend into the new fiscal year that starts on October 1 and will impact new H-1B workers who typically apply during that time.
The White House did not deny the move and a spokesman told the WSJ in a statement, “The administration is currently evaluating a wide range of options, formulated by career experts, to protect American workers and job seekers, especially disadvantaged and underserved citizens. But no decisions of any kind have been made.”
The US has already suspended all immigration in view of the pandemic, including green cards.
The country issues 85,000 H-1B visas every year; 65,000 to foreign workers hired from abroad and 20,000 to foreigners who are enrolled in US institutions of advanced learning.