‘P. Sarojini’
New York, USA (CWBN)_ According to the recent reports, Trump’s latest modifications in H1B visa aim to reduce the number of skilled foreign workers entering the US, which will leave America worse off. The report says that Trump administration is targeting in particular the skilled foreign workers.
The report argues on this issue saying that this goal makes no sense and will not benefit the country in any way. If this rule comes into effect, many businesses, smaller firms and the healthcare system too will be affected badly. The report claims that the reduction in the number of skilled migrants will directly harm the American workers overall.
Trump’s policies on immigration are being widely discussed worldwide. The H1B visa is already expensive and difficult to obtain for many Indian-owned companies in the US. The feedback says that the overall immigration is good for America and that the current restrictions will only do harm. The news says that Trump is planning to nominate immigration hardliner Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in order to influence immigration policy in the future.
A recent study shows that the immigrants create more jobs than Americans. The study highlights on the significant roles that immigrants could play in recovering the country’s economy amidst the pandemic devastation.
Changes in H1B visa program
Trump accused the domestic companies and firms for abusing the system and employing cheap foreign workers at the expense of American workers. He mentioned these reasons for his changes in the H1B visa program and said that he is also targeting for a drastic reform in this area. Trump had already modified this program earlier this year, but with his latest reforms, he comes out with an explanation on ‘what a ‘specialty’ occupation is’.
Under this system of specialty occupation, the companies can only hire overseas workers who have the right degree to the job they are applying for. The firms cannot hire cheap labors nor can they recruit a person with an engineering degree to the software job.
Moreover, Trump’s plan will increase the salary scale of the H1B visa holders which will also stop businesses undercutting US-level salaries. The new scheme says that the highest skilled immigrants will be paid a salary in the 95th percentile of the prevailing wage for their occupation. This accounts for a rise from the 67th percentile under the current H1B visa rules. Additionally, the length of stay of the immigrant workers hired by the IT firms will be limited to only 12 months in the US. This rule tends to affect tens of thousands of people from India.
The report says that Trump’s new rule aims at reducing the demand for H1B visas by one-third, which is regarded as a victory for American workers. However, the report concludes calling it a defeat for the American work force.
Unemployment rates
According to the report, two-thirds of America’s H1B visa holders work in ‘computer-related’ fields, the sector which has chronic labor shortage. The data from Labor Department shows that the unemployment rate for computer programmers was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2020. But the unemployment rate among the overall US workforce was 8.8%. Meanwhile, vacancies in the tech sector are up 4.7% since April 2020.
The report concludes that these job roles increase consumer demand and help companies to expand by filling critical roles. The report finally stated that “Skilled immigrants spur growth and help create jobs for American workers.”
