Trump Mulls Suspension of H-1B Visas Amid Massive Unemployment; How Will Indian Professionals Be Affected?

The decision will have an adverse impact on Indian IT professionals as a lot of them have already lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and headed back home.

Photo/PTI

Washington: Employees with H-1B visa in the US may be in for a surprise if the US President Donald Trump has his way. The President, who is already unpopular because of his stringent measures, is now planning to suspend a number of employment visas including the H-1B, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, in view of the massive unemployment in America. According to a report in the news agency PTI, Trump is considering to implement the move, into the government's new fiscal year beginning October 1. It is the time when many new visas are issued, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. "That could bar any new H-1B holder outside the country from coming to work until the suspension is lifted, though visa holders already in the country are unlikely to be affected," the daily reported quoting its sources. How Does It Affect Indian Professionals? For Indians, H-1B is the most important work visa, particularly for technology professionals. The decision will have an adverse impact on thousands of Indian IT professionals. According to the report, a large number of Indians on the H-1B visas have lost their jobs and are headed back home during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the White House didn’t decide on the suspension and considering various proposals. "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," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement. The proposed move will impact other visas including 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 company transfers, the financial daily reported. Meanwhile, the US Chambers of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue on Thursday wrote a letter to Trump, expressing concern over his reported move on temporary work visas. The leader stressed on having H-1B visa holders, who have a work visa valid for multiple years, for various industries, including technology, accounting and manufacturers. Also Watch | America: Protesters break statues after George Floyd's death | ABP Special