Time For Indian IT Professionals To Rejoice As Joe Biden Lets Trump Era H-1B Visa Bans Expire
On December 31, Trump extended the order to March 31, 2021, noting that an extension was warranted as the pandemic continued to disrupt American's lives, and high levels of unemployment and job loss were still presenting serious economic challenges to workers across the US.
In a major relief for thousands of Indian IT professionals, US President Joe Biden let the ban on foreign workers visa, in particular H-1B, lapse as the notification issued by his predecessor Donald Trump expired.
Freepik
Why is H-1B visa important?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in special occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Among those most affected by the restrictions are foreign workers on H-1B visa. It is highly sought-after by Indian IT professionals.
Why did Trump suspend it?
Amidst a global lockdown and the COVID-19 crisis, Trump in June last year issued a proclamation that suspended entry to the US of applicants for several temporary or non-immigrant visa categories, including H-1B, arguing that these visas presented a risk to the US labour market during the economic recovery.
AFP
On December 31, Trump extended the order to March 31, 2021, noting that an extension was warranted as the pandemic continued to disrupt American's lives, and high levels of unemployment and job loss were still presenting serious economic challenges to workers across the US.
What's next?
Biden, who has rolled back many of Trump¡¯s immigration policies since taking office in January, has decided to not renew the proclamation, Bloomberg reported.
A federal judge in California granted a temporary injunction on October 1 after major business associations, including the National Association of Manufacturers and US Chamber of Commerce, filed a lawsuit against the ban. The judge had said in his ruling that Trump had ¡°exceeded his authority¡± and his policy would cause ¡°irreparable harm¡± to the businesses by interfering with their operations.
Freepik
The Trump administration had filed an appeal against the order before an appellate court. In February, the court sought a status report from all parties by April 7.The White House has not commented about this decision yet.
Senior Writer at Indiatimes. She writes on Lifestyle, fashion, beauty, astrology and health.
