Washington: In a huge blow to Indian IT professionals eyeing the US job market, the Trump administration has suspended the most sought-after H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas until the end of 2020 to protect American workers in a crucial election year.
Under a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump on Monday, the new restrictions will take effect on June 24.
The decision will impact a large number of Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1.
They would now have to wait at least till the end of the current calendar year before approaching the US diplomatic missions to get stamping.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
In April, Trump signed an immigration proclamation targeting people outside of the US seeking to legally migrate to the US, with some exceptions. That order, which was set to lapse, will be extended until the end of 2020 and expanded to include some guest worker visas. The new visas included are L-1 visas for intracompany transfers, H-1Bs for workers in specialty occupations as well as the H-4 visa for spouses, H-2Bs for temporary non-agricultural workers and most J-1 visas for exchange visitors.
The new rules would apply only to those who are outside the US, who do not have a valid non-immigrant visa and an official travel document other than a visa to enter the country.
Trump, seeking another term in the White House in the November 3 presidential election, said the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
While issuing the proclamation, Trump has ignored the mounting opposition to his order by various business organisations, lawmakers and human rights bodies.
Google CEO Sunder Pichai expressed disappointment over Trump’s decision.
Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today, Indian-American Pichai said in a tweet.
While defending his move, President Trump said, “We must remain mindful of the impact of foreign workers on the US labour market, particularly in the current extraordinary environment of high domestic unemployment and depressed demand for labour.” (PTI)