In a move that has raised multiple eyebrows, the Trump administration has expanded US immigration restrictions. President Trump has suspended H1-B visa along with foreign work visas to United States for the rest of the year. Issuing an Executive Order, he said this move ia aimed at “moving towards a merit-based immigration system.”
THE US VISA MATRIX: READY RECKONER
Temporary suspension of foreign work visas – including H-1B and L1 – for the rest of the year
Visas temporarily suspended till the end of this year include H-1B, H-4, H-2B visa, J and L visas
These visas, which benefit Indian IT professionals, expected to free up to 5,25,000 jobs in the United States
H-1B is the high-tech visa
H-4 is the spouses of certain other visa holders, including H-1B and H-2B
Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today’s proclamation – we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 22, 2020
H-2B is a bit of a low-skill catchall
President Trump’s focus is to get Americans back to work as soon as possible to revive the economy which has taken a severe beating due to COVID-19
Green card holders, once admitted pursuant to US immigrant visas, are granted “open-market” employment authorisation documents
This allows them immediate eligibility to compete for almost any job
White House proclamation comes into effect from June 24