Fresh US curbs on H-1B visas a problem for Indian IT companies |
After halting the H1-B visas in the last few months, the Trump administration has announced new restrictions on the non-immigrant visa program. The new set of restrictions is claimed at protecting American workers, restoring integrity and to better guarantee that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioners. This will directly affect thousands of Indian IT professionals. The interim final rule announced by the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, less than four weeks ahead of the US presidential election. This will narrow the definition of specialty occupation as Congress intended, by closing the overbroad definition that allowed companies to game the system. It will also require companies to make real offers to real employees, by closing loopholes and preventing the displacement of the American workers. And finally, the new rules would enhance the department`s ability to enforce compliance through worksite inspections and monitor compliance before, during and after an H1-B petition is approved. The H1B 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 tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Already a large number of Indians on the H-1B visas have lost their jobs and are headed back home during the Coronavirus pandemic that has severely hit the US economy.
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