US immigration policies have always been a topic of discussion for people around the world. Especially when it comes to the H-1B visa, which is the dream of millions of Indian professionals. Similarly, obtaining US citizenship is also a long but prestigious process, which is considered the destination of every immigrant. But when the administration of former US President Donald Trump planned major changes in both these areas, this news became shocking for the whole world.
What is H-1B visa?
H-1B visa is the non-permanent visa that permits the USA based firms to employ the foreign skilled employee on a temporary basis particularly in the sectors where in shortage of the US citizens occurs like information technology, engineering, finance and health care. Indian professionals mostly prefer this visa because it becomes a means of the Indian professionals to work in the US and acquire permanent residence (green card).
Trump administration and changes in H-1B visa
Donald Trump prioritized the ‘America First’ policy during his presidency. Under this, he took several steps to reduce dependence on foreign workers. H-1B visa also came under target under this policy.
The major plans of the Trump administration included the following changes:
Priority based on qualification and salary
According to the new proposal, visa applicants were to be given priority on the basis of their salary level and qualification. That is, candidates with higher salary would be selected first, due to which this visa would be out of the reach of small-scale workers.
Change in visa lottery system
Earlier H-1B visa was allotted under a lottery system, due to which any eligible person could get a chance. The Trump administration wanted to change it to a completely merit-based system.
Strictness in validity and extension of H-1B visa
Additional documentation and strict scrutiny were talked about for renewing the visa, which would have made it difficult for many professionals to stay in America.
Monitoring of sponsoring companies
Companies that employed foreign professionals under H-1B were proposed to be subjected to intense scrutiny and mandatory reporting.
These proposals would have a direct impact on Indian professionals, who were working in the US on H-1B visas in the largest numbers in the technical sector.
Changes in the US citizenship test
The Trump administration was not limited to visas only, it also planned to change the test for US citizenship (Naturalization).
Increase in the number and difficulty of questions
While earlier 10 questions were asked in the citizenship test, it was mandatory to answer 6 of them correctly, the Trump administration proposed to increase the number and complexity of difficult questions in it.
Emphasis on cultural and political ideology
Some such questions were added to the exam in which the political ideology of America, interpretation of the Constitution and aspects of patriotism were given prominence.
Changes in the interview process
The interview was made more rigorous and detailed, so that the candidate’s English language proficiency, thinking ability and compatibility with the basic spirit of America would be tested.
Possible impact of these changes
Impact on Indian professionals
The change in H-1B visa rules would have affected Indian IT and engineering professionals the most. The salary-based preference system would have made it difficult for Indians working in early careers to get jobs in America.
Pressure on companies
Many American companies depend on Indian professionals, especially technology companies. They would also have suffered heavy losses due to strictness in visa processes.
Fear in the immigrant community
The change in the citizenship test had increased anxiety among green card holders, long-term immigrants living in America and their families. It was felt that obtaining citizenship would now have to go through a difficult test.
What was the argument of the Trump administration?
The Trump government said that these changes would give priority to American cicitizens and citizenship would be accorded only to the people who embrace American culture, constitution and values. They also thought that there were companies that were taking advantage of the H-1B visa so that they could get cheap labor, and Americans remained jobless.
Animadversion and responses
These proposals were strongly criticized. Big names in the tech industry such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook said that this move could harm America’s innovation capacity. Also, many academics and social organizations termed it an anti-immigration move.
The Indian government had also expressed concern over these proposals and sought talks with US officials so that Indian professionals do not suffer.
What happened in the Biden administration?
When Joe Biden became president, he reviewed these proposals and stopped many of them. The salary-based preference system in H-1B visas was suspended and the citizenship test was restored to its previous status. The Biden administration described immigration as America’s strength and indicated a more inclusive policy.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s proposed changes to the H-1B visa and the US citizenship system were very impactful not only from a policy point of view but also from a social and economic point of view. He questioned not just foreign professionals but also America’s workforce, innovation, and global leadership.
FAQs
1. What is the H-1B visa program?
A. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations like IT, engineering, and healthcare.
2. Why did the Trump administration want to change the H-1B visa rules?
A. The Trump administration aimed to prioritize U.S. workers and reduce the exploitation of the H-1B program by enforcing stricter rules and merit-based selection.
3. What changes were proposed to the H-1B visa system?
A. Key proposed changes included prioritizing higher-wage applicants, eliminating the random lottery system, increasing scrutiny of sponsoring companies, and stricter renewal requirements.
4. How would the proposed changes impact Indian professionals?
A. Indian IT professionals, who form the largest group of H-1B recipients, would face reduced chances under the wage-based selection system and tighter regulations.
5. What changes were proposed to the U.S. citizenship (naturalization) test?
A. The Trump administration proposed a longer and more difficult test, including more questions on U.S. history, values, and political systems, as well as a stricter interview process.
