United States of America lawmakers and advocacy groups have criticized Donald Trump government’s reported plan to curb H1B visa extensions that could result in self-deportation of around 5,00,000-7,50,000 Indian Americans. In a statement made they even said that the move will result in draining of much-needed talent from America.
The US Chamber of Commerce on Saturday said that the move to end extensions of H-1B visas+ is contrary to the goals of a merit-based immigration system and it would be “bad policy”. The Trump administration’s reported plan could result in self-deportation of approximately 700,000 Indians. Meanwhile, the immigration experts say that the recent reports about the possibility of the Trump administration ending the extensions of H-1B visas beyond six years are totally inaccurate and alarmist.
According to the reports, the proposal to curb H-1B visa extensions was a part of Trump’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ initiative that was vowed by him during his election campaign is being drafted by the Department of Homeland Security.
On the matter, a US Chamber of Commerce spokesperson said, “It would be tremendously bad policy to tell highly skilled individuals who are applying for permanent residency and have been working in the US for several years that they are no longer welcome”.
Various US lawmakers and advocacy groups have severely criticised the reported plan by Trump administration to curb H-1B visa extensions that could lead of self-deportation of an estimated 5,00,000-7,50,000 Indian Americans, explaining that the move would drain America of Talent.
The H-1B program offers temporary US visas that allow companies to hire skilled foreign professionals to work in areas with a shortage of qualifies native workers. Donald Trump, since taking the office in last January, has been cracking down on the scheme.
“Imposing these draconian restrictions on H1B visa holders will tear families apart, drain our society of talent and expertise, and damage our relationship with an important partner, India.” An influential Democratic Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard said.
She further said, “This proposal could lead to the deportation of an estimated 5,00,000 to 7,50,000 Indian H1B visa holders, many of whom are small business owners and job creators who are helping to build and strengthen our US economy. This brain drain will stifle innovation and decrease our ability to compete in the global 21st-century economy.”
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), in a statement, sounded alarm over the new proposal by the Trump Administration to deny extensions of H1B visas to the green card applicants and leaving them with no choice but to return to the country of origin or be deported.
Suhag Shukla asked, “It’s a baffling calculation. How would deporting hundreds of thousands of skilled workers, the very backbone of our STEM industries, in any way advance an ‘America First’ agenda?” Such a move would impact some 5, 00, 000 to 7,50,000 highly skilled Indian technology professionals, research scholars and academicians in the US and result in their moving back to India.
