Downing the shutters: On H1-B visa halt (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: International Relations
Prelims level: H1-B visa
Mains level: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Context:

• The White House has made a proclamation restricting the issuance of non-immigrant work visas across the board.
• This decision was taken to clamp down on American jobs going to foreign workers, a consistent policy priority of the Trump administration.
• The broad-brush order includes the H-1B, which is widely garnered by Indian nationals, the H-2B, the L-1, the J-1 visa and the H-4 visa.
• The proclamation will enter into force on June 24 and be applicable until the end of the calendar year, which notably includes the November 3 presidential election.

Classifications of Visas:

• H-1B visa for skilled workers
• H-4 visa for dependents of H-1B visa holders
• H-2B visa issued to seasonal workers
• L-1 visa for intra-company transfers
• J-1 visa for students on work-study summer programmes

 Reasons behind the move:

• It is intended as a follow-on order reducing the number of foreigners entering the U.S.
• This comes on the back of the 60-day halt in legal migration that began on April 23.
• A broad swathe of workers is likely to be affected by the latest pause in visa processing.
• The latest restrictions will not apply to visa-holders who are already within the U.S., or those who are outside it and have already been issued valid visas.
• The reasoning offered by the White House is that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has “significantly disrupted Americans’ livelihoods”.
• The overall unemployment rate in the country nearly quadrupled between February and May 2020 to 13.3%.

America first:

• There is little doubt that the policies of the Trump White House are likely to serve to the broader requirements of the 2020 presidential campaign.
• One of which is a sharp focus on “America First,” or in this case the need to project aggressive action against American jobs allegedly being lost to foreign workers.
• Noting that between February and April, “more than 20 million U.S. workers lost their jobs in key industries where employers are currently requesting H-1B and L workers to fill positions”.
• It also observed that similar or higher numbers could be found in the other listed visa categories.
• However, Mr. Trump may find that the blowback from America Inc., the employers of millions of non-immigrant foreign workers, is speedy and savage.

 Criticism:

• Already Google CEO Sundar Pichai has responded by tweeting, “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.”

 Conclusion:

• If more captains of the Fortune 500 companies strike this note of disappointment and lobby quietly behind closed doors to boost the prospects of Mr. Trump’s rival, Joe Biden, then this might be the straw that breaks the back of the Trump campaign juggernaut.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Indian Gaur, consider the following statements:
1. Gaurs are found on the forested hills and grassy areas of south to south East Asia.
2. It is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

2. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Mains Questions:
Q.1) What are the different types of visas used in US by foreign nationals?  Do you think Trump’s new policy will give an edge to higher degree applicants?