The Trump administration has continued to suspend the issuance of “green cards” for new immigrants and halted a variety of work visas for foreigners, including all H-1B and H-4 till the end of 2020.
The suspension will not have any impact those already in the US on the visas. The Optional Practical Training that most international students are eligible for after they graduate in the US remains un-suspended.
But also suspended are L1 visas (for intracompany transfer) and J1 visas (widely used by doctors and researchers), although there will be exceptions for those working on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump said the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the current economic crisis. Issuing the proclamation ahead of the presidential elections, Trump has overlooked the heightening opposition to the order by various business groups, lawmakers and human rights organizations.
The proclamation that comes into effect on June 24, is anticipated to hit a large number of Indian IT specialists and several US and Indian organisations who were issued H-1B visas by the US government.
They would now have to wait at least till the end of 2020 before getting their passports stamped. It would also affect a large number of Indian IT workers who are attempting to renew their H-1B visas.
“In the administration of our Nation’s immigration system, we must remain mindful of the impact of foreign workers on the United States labour market, particularly in the current extraordinary environment of high domestic unemployment and depressed demand for labour,” said the proclamation issued by Trump.
