H-1B is the most coveted foreign work visa for technology professionals from India.
Washington:
President Donald Trump plans to suspend a number of employment visas, including H-1B, the most wanted among Indian IT professionals, given massive unemployment in America due to the coronavirus pandemic , according to a press report.
The proposed suspension could extend to the government’s new fiscal year starting October 1, when many new visas are issued, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing anonymous administration officials.
“This could prevent any new H-1B holder outside the country from coming to work until the suspension is lifted, although visa holders already in the country are likely not to be affected,” said the official. daily.
H-1B is the most coveted foreign work visa for technology professionals from India.
Such a decision by the Trump administration is likely to have a negative impact on thousands of Indian IT professionals. Already, many Indians on H-1B visas lost their jobs and returned home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The White House said, however, that no final decision had been made and that the administration was considering various proposals.
“The administration is currently assessing a wide range of options, formulated by career experts, to protect American workers and job seekers, particularly disadvantaged and underserved citizens – but no decision has been made” , White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley said in a statement. .
In addition to H-1B visas, the suspension could apply to the H-2B visa for short-term seasonal workers, the J-1 visa for short-term workers, including camp counselors and au pairs , and the L-1 visa for internal workers, business transfers, reports the financial daily.
Meanwhile, U.S. Chambers of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue wrote a letter to Trump on Thursday expressing concern about his decision on temporary work visas.
“As the economy rebounds, American businesses will need to be assured that they can meet all of their labor needs. To this end, it is crucial that they have access to talent at work. both nationally and around the world, “Donohue wrote in a letter to Trump.
According to The Hill, Donohue said that American businesses need L-1 visa holders, who have a work visa valid for a relatively short period, for the expertise needed.
He stressed the importance of H-1B visa holders, who have a work visa valid for several years, for various industries, including technology, accounting and manufacturers, the newspaper said.
“Policies that, for example, impose broad entry bans on non-immigrant workers or impose new stringent regulatory requirements on companies that employ foreign nationals would undermine this access to talent and in so doing undermine the capacity of our economy to grow and create jobs, “added Donohue.
