US Chamber of Commerce, a lobbying group, criticized the Trump administration’s decision to put more restrictions in place for issuance of H-1B visas that enable highly-skilled foreign workers to work in the US.
The Chamber said the restrictions will harm the US economy and business as it prevents merit-based immigration.
“It would tremendously be a 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,” the Chamber said in a statement, Firstpost reported. “This policy would harm American business, our economy, and the country. Further, it is inconsistent with the goals of a more merit-based immigration system.”
H-1B visa is normally issued for three years with a provision to extend it further for another three-year period. As per the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, the administration can again allow an extension to H-1B holders if a green card application is pending.
But, media reports last week claimed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was planning to end the practice of ending visa extension while green card is pending.
The proposal to put further restrictions on the existing rules is a part of President Donald Trump’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ initiative promised during the 2016 campaign. The draft form of the proposal has been shared by higher DHS officials in memos.
The policy changes would have an adverse effect on workers from India as they are the largest beneficiaries of H-1B visa program.
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