Agencies, New Delhi
The Trump administration is considering a proposal which may result in large scale deportation of Indians from the US.
The proposed US Bill – Protect and Grow American Jobs – which is being shared as a memo in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims at ending the provision of granting extensions to H-1B visa holders whose applications for permanent residency (Green Card) had been accepted.
Aligned with President Donald Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” policy, the proposed US Bill could lead to mass deportation of around 500,000-750,000 H-1B visa holders.
The report also mentions that the United States usually grants about 85,000 non-immigrant H-1B visas every year — 65,000 to foreigners who are hired abroad and 20,000 to foreigners who are enrolled in advanced degree courses in colleges and schools in the country.
Considering that an estimated 70% of these H-1B visas go to Indians, a refusal to extend the same will definitely cause a huge impact on their lives and professional futures, as well as that of their families.
An H-1B visa is activated for three years, following which it maybe given an extension. If the proposal falls through and these holders are denied their extensions, then it would leave them with no choice but to go back to their homeland. Before, with the extensions, those whose requests for the Green Card had been approved, could have waited in the country till they were granted the same.
