Donald Trump’s new immigration policy on H1b, H4 and Green card: As soon as there is a change of power in the United States, Donald Trump has once again returned as President of US. Upon being re-elected as President, Donald Trump has decided to make some changes in American immigration policies. Recently, On the eve of his swearing-in ceremony, Donald Trump announced his mission to change America’s immigration system in front of the entire crowd attending the swearing-in ceremony. He said that now the process of immigration in America is going to be made very strict due to which Indian technical professionals, students and their families are going to face a lot of inconvenience in the coming time.
Trump has decided to tighten the US visa and green card programs under the ‘America First’ policy. Under this entire program, America has now decided to reduce the dependence on foreign professionals and encourage local talents. So with this mission America is going to be very strict on H1B visa and other immigration processes so that American companies do not hire employees from outside and employ local people only.
Strictness will be brought in H1B immigration program
During Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, Donald Trump has announced that H1B will be made more complex and stringent. H1B visa works as a lifeline for Indian technical professionals. H1B visa provides these professionals the opportunity to work and settle in America. But the definition of specialty occupation will now be made mandatory for H1B visa. Which means to get an H1B visa , candidates will need to show a special degree.
All those American companies which are inviting Indian candidates or employees for employment in America will now also have to face Request for Evidence for more authenticity. In such a situation, this process will become very long and complicated for all the technical professionals leaving India. This means that now American companies have to go through a lot of formalities before hiring foreign employees, due to which American companies may not hire foreign employees but instead give opportunities to local talent due to the easy process.
Increase in minimum salary limit for visa also becomes a new headache
Earlier the minimum salary limit to get a h1b visa was $60000. Which means , all those Indian employees who were being called for jobs in America were being given H1B visa only if their minimum salary in America was 60000 dollars. But now the Trump administration has also decided to increase this salary limit. It is being said that in the coming time, the minimum salary limit will be increased from $60,000 to $1,20,000 so all those American companies who want to invite foreign employees to America will have to increase the salary to 120,000 dollars to give H1B visa to their employees. In such a situation, it is expected that now American companies will give priority to American workers instead of foreign professionals.
This increase in the minimum salary limit can also pose a serious challenge for Indian professionals. Where it becomes almost impossible to get this salary for middle level jobs. In such a situation, it will be possible for all those Indians who want to settle in America to cross this limit at the initial stage of their career. At the same time, now American companies will also have to assess the cost before appointing external employees. In such a situation, if American companies invite Indian employees for employment in America, they will have to pay higher salaries. That is why it is possible that American companies may give priority to local workers only. In such a situation, it is being said that Indian professionals may be worried about job security.
WestJet Class Action Settlement: Here’s your chance to Claim the share of $12.5 million settlement!
$762 Social Security Payment Schedule 2025: Key Dates and Updates You Need to Know
OPT program has become a challenge for students
OPT program i.e. Optional Practical Training is an important program through which foreign students are given the opportunity to gain work experience after completing their studies in America. This program is specially run for the students in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, where they are given the benefit of STEM extension for 24 months after completing their studies, so that the students studying in all these courses can study in America for 24 months. One get a chance to stay for an additional month and is given the opportunity to gain work experience. But now the Trump government is considering ending this 24-month time extension of the OPT program.
Let us tell you that if the Trump government ends the 24-month STEM extension of this OPT program, then it may have a very adverse impact on Indian students studying in STEM fields abroad. Through STEM Extension, students can get internships as well as permanent jobs in American companies which will eliminate the employment opportunities of Indian students and may also affect their studies and economic investment.
Ban on working in third party site also
A proposal has also been issued to ban working on third party sites under Optional Practical Training in the Trump Administration.
So from now on students can work only with their sponsor. Now they will not be able to work on third party sites. Because working on third party sites gives them the opportunity to develop more skills which is causing adverse impact on American students. In such a situation, while maintaining the strategy of America First, the Trump administration is also considering ending the STEM extension and the facility of working at third party sites under the OPT facility available to Indian students.
Rights of H4 visa holders will also be affected
Due to the strict rules of this H1B visa of the Trump administration, H4 visa holders will also be affected. h4 visa works as an important link for Indian expatriate families which is given to the family of h1 B visa holder. Under the America First policy, a proposal has been passed by the Trump administration to end the rights of H4 visas also. Meaning, all those employees who are working in America under H1B visa and their families will no longer be given H4 visa.
Let us tell you that even today many H1B visa holders are living with their families in America. Their wife and their children are invited to America through H4 visa and are given the opportunity to settle there. In such a situation, due to the proposal to abolish the H4 visa by the Trump administration, now the right to work on the H4 visa can also be abolished, due to which in the coming time, those families who are already living in America under the H4 visa,important source of their income will be lost. This can affect their financial situation in America and bring down their standard of living even further.
Musk, Trump, and H-1B Debate: India’s Role in America’s Tech Revolution
Importance of use of site inspections and e-verification
Many important changes will be made in immigration policies immediately after Donald Trump’s oath as President. Where the Donald Trump administration is pushing for the proposal to use site inspection and e-verification methods in immigration policies. These policies will have a direct impact on American employers and foreign professionals. This means that this policy may have a very adverse impact on the American work force and Indian professionals in the future.
Due to the Trump administration intensifying the process of site inspection and e-verification, there will be more pressure on employers. Due to which the responsibilities of the employers will increase and the responsibilities and burden of small and medium sized employers who mainly selected and hired Indian professionals will also get doubled because due to the strictness of the site inspection, such employers who prefer to hire foreign employees will now hesitate to appoint them .
At the same time, it can be a risky decision for the employees working abroad in America from India, where even during the work site inspection, if any professional is found violating the visa rules, then their visa can be canceled. At the same time, they also face the threat of other government actions.
Conclusion
Overall, Donald Trump’s immigration policies may have a deep impact on Indian professionals, students and their families in the future, due to which, while H1B visa programs will be tightened, OPT and STEM extensions will be banned, The green card process will become more complicated and the H4 visa will also get stopped completely.
That is, in the coming time, the career prospects of Indian professionals and students will be limited, which will have an adverse impact on all those professionals and students who are dreaming of going to America to improve their future.
