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A US-based diaspora body on Tuesday launched an online petition campaign urging the Secretary of State Anthony <keyword id="10620101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blinken" source="Orion">Blinken</keyword> to reduce the long waitlist for various types of American visas being issued from <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. "We request the State Department, Secretary of State Mr Anthony Blinken and the US embassies in India to eliminate wait times for <keyword id="6359421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa" source="Orion">visa</keyword> appointments in India. "Even after a two-year-long Covid-era pause in visa appointments at the US embassies in India, the visa appointment situation is far from normal, requiring 300 to 900 days of wait time based on the visa types," Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies or FIIDS said launching its online petition campaign. As per travel.state.gov reports on October 31, there is an average 900+ days' wait time for appointments for visitors' visa (B1/B2), an average 400 days' wait time for students (F, M,J) and an average 300 days' wait time for petition-based temp workers like H, L, O, P and Q across the USA consulates in India (Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata), it said. In contrast, the US consulates in China only have an average three days' wait time, FIIDS said. "The 900+ days' delay deprives Indian Americans and Indian immigrants in the USA of having their beloved relatives to visit, whether in the time of difficulties, needs, or for celebrations, impacting their quality of life," it said. "The 400+ days' wait time affects students joining the US universities, that not only impacts students' future but also negatively impacts the US universities," FIIDS said, adding, the 300+ days' wait time is impacting productivity and success of various industries and businesses due to lack of skilled workers. "We urge the US State Department and Sec Blinken to resolve this issue. We believe it is not only important for US interests but the right thing to do on moral and compassionate grounds," FIIDS said in its petition on Change.Org. "As per Reuters news on 27th Sept, the Secretary of State blamed the lack of resources and funding due to lost revenues from fees on this 'self-financed program,'" the petition said. "We request the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps and to seek emergency funds to resolve this backlog. We are eager to assist in any way possible and will forge a coalition of individuals who will rise to the occasion to assist in mitigating this issue," it added. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/elon-musk-fired-twitter-execs-including-ceo-parag-agrawal-for-cause-in-a-bid-to-avoid-paying-out-tens-of-millions-in-severance-report-says/articleshow/95182325.cms">Elon Musk fired Twitter execs including CEO Parag Agrawal 'for cause' in a bid to avoid paying out tens of millions in severance, report says</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/twitter-staff-have-been-told-to-work-84-hour-weeks-and-managers-slept-at-the-office-over-the-weekend-as-they-scramble-to-meet-elon-musks-tight-deadlines-reports-say/articleshow/95232215.cms">Twitter staff have been told to work 84-hour weeks and managers slept at the office over the weekend as they scramble to meet Elon Musk's tight deadlines, reports say</a>

Diaspora group launches online petition urging Blinken to reduce visa wait time

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/more-than-184000-indians-applied-for-h1b-visa-for-fy20-21/articleshow/74938489.cms">H-1B visa</a> is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ highly skilled workers from other countries.</li><li>Congress allows <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)</a> to issue up to 65,000 <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-dod-cooperative-research-and-development-project-workers-and-fashion-models">H-1B work visas</a> to highly skilled foreign workers each year. It can issue an additional 20,000 H-1B visas to workers who obtained a graduate degree in the U.S.</li><li>Because more people apply than can be accepted, the visas are run through a <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-fiscal-year-fy-2021-cap-season">lottery system</a>.</li><li>If you get laid off on an H-1B visa, you have several options: Find a new employer to sponsor your <keyword id="395013" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="H1-B">H1-B</keyword> visa; get a spousal support visa; apply to change your status to a student or tourist visa; or leave the U.S.</li><li>Your visa status will expire 60 days after termination.</li></ul>In April, the unemployment rate in the U.S. jumped to 14.7% — the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/april-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-payrolls-record-us-economy-coronavirus-2020-5">highest</a> it's been since the Great Depression. The April <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chart-showing-employment-declines-over-past-recessions-2020-5">jobs report</a> shows that more than 20 million jobs were lost in a single month.While a sudden loss of employment is cause for concern for anyone, it comes with an additional concern for foreign workers who are in the U.S. on an H-1B visa.That's because foreign workers facing unemployment have 60 days from termination to come up with a formal reason for staying in the U.S. That reason must be accepted by the U.S. government, or the foreign worker will have to leave the country. <a href="https://www.niskanencenter.org/how-the-coronavirus-will-kick-legal-immigrants-out-of-line-and-out-of-the-country/">Jeremy Neufeld, an immigration policy analyst with the Washington, DC, think tank Niskanen Center estimated in a recent article that</a> more than 200,000 foreign workers on H-1B visas could lose their legal status by the end of June. This could include employed foreign workers who have to renew their visas in June.If you've recently lost your job in the U.S. and are on an H-1B visa, here are your options. <h2>1. Talk to an <keyword id="50403" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Immigration">immigration</keyword> attorney </h2>The first thing a foreign worker with an H-1B visa should do after getting laid off is consult with an immigration lawyer.Business Insider spoke to three experts — Karla M. McKanders, a clinical law professor at Vanderbilt University; <a href="https://law.stanford.edu/directory/lucas-guttentag/">Lucas Guttentag</a>, a law professor at Stanford and Yale; and <a href="https://www.roseimmigration.com/">Linda Rose, a practicing immigration lawyer</a> — and all three agreed on that step. Rose stressed the importance of consulting with the right type of attorney."We strongly recommend the individual consult with a knowledgeable attorney," Rose said. "Not all immigration attorneys practice business immigration."Suggested resource: <a href="https://www.aila.org/">The American Immigrant Lawyers Association (AILA)</a> is an organization of attorneys and law professors who represent foreign students, workers, asylum seekers, usually on a volunteer basis.<h2>2. Try to find a new employer</h2>Another option for those who have been recently laid off is to find a new employer.To continue working in the U.S., those on an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/-coronavirus-pressure-laid-off-foreign-workers-2020-5">H-1B visa</a> must find another employer who is willing to sponsor their H-1B visa.Suggested resource: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (<keyword id="137642" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="USCIS">USCIS</keyword>) has an <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/h-1b-data-hub">H-1B Employer Data Hub</a>. Those looking for an H1-B sponsor can use this tool to find out which employers have sponsored foreign workers on an H-1B between 2009 and 2020. <h2>3. Change your visa status in the allotted 60-day time period</h2><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/visit-united-states/change-my-nonimmigrant-status">To change your visa status</a> is to formally change your reason for being in the U.S. This formal change has to be approved by the U.S. government and it has to happen within the 60-day period that starts directly after termination. Even outside a pandemic, it's a difficult process in America, McKanders, the Vanderbilt professor, told Business Insider."Someone who is in the United States seeking to change their visa status during the pandemic ... will have a hard time navigating through this process," McKanders told Business Insider. "The law during the pandemic is complex and constantly in flux."Start your visa application process by filing an application with <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/file-online">USCIS</a>.From there, applicants typically go through several more steps, including fingerprinting, interviews, background checks, and sometimes <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-1067/0-0-0-1318.html">requests for more information</a>.Guttentag, who founded and ran the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants' Rights Project for almost three decades, told Business Insider than under normal circumstances, reported cycle times for changing one's visa status range from three to 12 months.The <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-covid-19">USCIS suspended all in-person interviews and fingerprinting on March 18</a>. The offices are scheduled to reopen on June 4, and online filing is always recommended for submitting forms.<h2 style="font-weight: 400;">3a. Alternate visa options to consider include a visitor visa and a student visa</h2>While there are multiple <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html">visa categories</a>, most foreign workers are likely to be eligible for the following types of visas. The first option is a B-1/B-2 visa, which is a visitor visa, Rose told Business Insider.B-1 visas are meant for those visiting the U.S. for business purposes. B-2 visas are meant for tourists. The other option for foreign workers is to try applying for a student (F-1) visa, Rose told Business Insider. However, timing is critical. The <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html">U.S. Department of State</a> recommends applying for your F-1 visa early because interview wait times vary depending on your location, and amid the pandemic, all interviews are suspended until June 4 at the earliest.<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/08/business/china-us-coronavirus-workers-intl-hnk/index.html">Tang Chen, a foreign worker from China who was recently laid off, told CNN</a> that she has been applying to colleges to get an F-1 visa so she can legally stay in the U.S.<h2>4. Apply for a spousal support visa</h2>A spousal support visa allows one to continue to work in the U.S. as long as their spouse remains employed.A recently laid-off startup employee previously told <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/-coronavirus-pressure-laid-off-foreign-workers-2020-5">Business Insider</a> that his wife was only authorized to work in the United States under a spousal support visa linked to his continued employment, forcing her to leave her job if he fails to find one.Suggested Resource: <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-spouse-k-3.html">The U.S. Department of State</a> has an overview of spousal support visas, including information about who is eligible for one and how to apply.Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-do-if-lose-h1b-visa-immigrant-layoffs-resources-2020-5">Business Insider</a>

What to do if you get laid off on an H-1B visa during the coronavirus pandemic

The US State Department has quietly implemented recommendations of a presidential commission which has suggested steps like opening up American diplomatic missions outside India for visa appointments to reduce the visa backlog in the country. India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted. Moved by a commission member, Ajay Jain Bhutoria from Silicon Valley, the presidential commission observed that inordinate visa appointment delays were causing huge problems for the students and visitors who have plans to come to study in the US and visit the country. The State Department should allow virtual interviews where applicable and allow staff from embassies around the world and the US consular staff to help conduct the virtual interviews at embassies with high backlogs and help clear them, the commission recommended. The recommendations included opening up American diplomatic missions outside India for visa appointments, having more counters and deploying additional resources to process visa applications. The <keyword id="50596" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-embassy" source="Orion">US Embassy</keyword> in India processed over 1 lakh applications just in January 2023, their highest total in a single month and the highest in any month since July 2019. In its December meeting, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders recommended several steps to reduce the growing delay in visa appointment times in India and other countries like Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. It recommended the State Department hire new Full-Time officers/consular or Temporary Staff or contractors or bring back retired consular officers to clear the backlog at Embassies in Asia which have wait times of 400 or more days and shrink the wait time to 2-4 weeks be clearing the visa application backlog. The State Department could also use staff from other embassies around the world to help clear the backlog in countries in Asia which have huge backlogs and delays in visa appointments, it had recommended. The advisory committee noted that in 2012 President Barack Obama issued a memo to reduce the wait time from several months to a few days and this memo streamlined the visa process. The Trump administration had rescinded the President Obama memo, and this is also contributing as one of the factors in causing delays for Visa appointments, it said. As such, it recommended that President Joe Biden should consider issuing a memo to the State Department to shrink the visa appointment wait times to 2-4 weeks maximum for countries with significant backlogs including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries in a similar situation. There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first-time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories. The waiting period for first-time B1/B2 visa applicants in India was close to three years in October last year. In January, the State Department not only implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas but also launched several initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for first-time applicants and increasing the strength of consular staff. It also conducted "special Saturday interview days" on January 21. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-unleashes-ai-powered-updates-to-revamp-user-experience-on-maps-search-and-translate/articleshow/97761551.cms">Google unleashes AI-powered updates to revamp user experience on Maps, Search and Translate</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/now-find-ev-charging-stations-in-google-maps-near-you/articleshow/97759525.cms">Now find EV charging stations in Google Maps near you</a>

US State Department implements several recommendations of presidential commission to reduce visa backlog in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tahmina Watson is an immigration lawyer in Seattle who often works with tech employees on visas.</li><li>She described recent rounds of layoffs and hiring freezes as some of the worst she's seen.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tahmina Watson, an immigration lawyer from Seattle. It has been edited for length and clarity.I was a barrister, or lawyer, in the United Kingdom before immigrating to the United States in 2005. I started practicing US immigration law in 2006 after sitting for the New York bar examination. However, living in Washington without a state license limited my practice areas.Initially I didn't want to practice immigration law, thinking that because I'm an empath it would pull at my heartstrings all the time. I eventually realized it's so much more than asylum and refugee law — I love working with intelligent and innovative business leaders trying to change the world and make it a better place for everyone.<h2>My clients want the 'American dream'</h2>They usually have an idea of where they want to live, whether it's in Silicon Valley or where they have family and friends. My clients are based all over the US, since immigration law is federal and I can serve people anywhere in the country. In Seattle, where I live, people often stay after graduating from school or because they got a job at one of the Fortune 500 companies headquartered here.My clients work for companies of all sizes, from startups to large corporations, and are cofounders, CEOs, executives, software engineers, data scientists, computer analysts, and many other titles. Outside the tech industry, I've helped <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flawed-h1b-visa-system-layoffs-undermining-americas-tech-industry-2022-12">secure visas</a> for investors, entrepreneurs, teachers, therapists, architects, lawyers, musicians, artists, and religious workers.I frequently work with human-resource departments. I also work with individuals who need guidance navigating the immigration maze and don't have direct access to a company lawyer — I become a second opinion for them.My fees are based on <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers">visa-application types</a>. I assist in employment-based, investment-based, family-based, and naturalization cases. I usually offer flat fees for preparing cases which can range from $3,500 to $15,000.<h2>This is an incredibly stressful time for anyone being laid off — and even more stressful for those on a visa that relies on an employer</h2>There's fear and anxiety about the future. People feel pressure to secure a new employer as soon as possible. However, they're facing immense challenges because of the economic downturn resulting in hiring freezes.One of my clients was recently told they'd be laid off from Amazon in a few weeks. This client is still there, trying to find an appropriate job. He's not sure what will happen to him and is very anxious and afraid. Another client got laid off from Facebook and is in the middle of interviews and hoping to get a new job offer soon. I've talked to a few other laid-off people recently who didn't say where they were laid off from. I had a Canadian client on a <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/tn-nafta-professionals">TN NAFTA visa</a> hoping to adjust through her US-citizen spouse. The person was already married before the layoff occurred.So far, the laid-off tech workers I've spoken with have had various citizenship backgrounds, including China, Canada, Japan, India, and Bangladesh. Many are getting four to eight weeks' notice of their last date. Some stopped working immediately but are on payroll for a few more weeks. Their visa types are varied. Most of them are on H-1B visas, but some are on L-1 and TN visas.One client explained that he arrived in the US on an L-1 visa from Southeast Asia in spring 2022. He uprooted his spouse and two children. The employer helped with some expenses, but he said it cost him more than $125,000 to move his life to the US. He didn't for a moment anticipate a layoff.The L-1 regulations are different from the H-1B regulations: H-1B rules require the employer to pay for the airfare back home if employment is terminated, while the L-1 doesn't have that rule. So this person is being offered no financial assistance to return home. He's undoubtedly in an unimaginable bind, engulfed in uncertainty, fear, anger, and stress.<h2>The layoffs will result in entrepreneurship, and we must help innovative people with the option to do so</h2>Visa holders who expect a pink slip should immediately start looking for a new employer to sponsor them. They should also seek legal advice about all their visa options. Depending on the country of their citizenship and current visa status, they could have opportunities to do something independently.For example, many don't know you can have a <a href="https://khaliquelaw.com/blog/h-1b-visa-option-for-self-employed-entrepreneurs/">self-employed H-1B visa</a>. Getting an H-1B visa with your own company requires a very put-together application with strong documentation. The key requirement is that you must demonstrate an employer-employee relationship. I've helped many entrepreneurs, business owners, and startup founders successfully obtain an H-1B visa with their own company as their sponsor. It's not easy, but it's possible.Many people wait to receive their green cards before taking the risk of entrepreneurship. But now they may not have a choice but to take that step.To educate others on this issue, I've been holding <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/09/03/opinion-startup-layoffs-impact-non-immigrant-visas.html">visa workshops</a> for laid-off skilled workers so they can learn about the visa options for starting their own companies.<h2>The most common visa used for skilled professionals is the H-1B visa</h2>The H-1B visa allows a total of six years in the US, but one can remain beyond six years if their employer has filed a green-card application on their behalf.These people have a lot to lose. Their spouse may have a work permit. Their children, who were likely born in the US, may go to school.The entire family's visa status is at risk when someone's laid off. The principal visa holder's family can usually be in the US on a dependent visa and would hold H-4 or L-2 visas. In certain conditions, H-4 spouses are able to work and L-2 spouses can automatically work. Therefore, in these layoff situations, a two-income household immediately turns into a zero-income household. Children also lose their status. In one fell swoop, everyone's life in a family is turned upside down.The silver lining for H-1B visa holders is that they can transfer their visa to another sponsoring employer — if they can find one. Immigrants have a maximum of 60 days on their H-1B visa to obtain new employment. Given the current economic conditions, that may be hard. After the 60 days, they either change visa status or leave the country.L-1 visa holders don't have the same option as H-1B visa holders to transfer their visas to another company. Even if a new employer sponsors them, they must enter the H-1B lottery, a once-a-year application process that's become increasingly difficult. For example, just over <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-electronic-registration-process">120,000 visas</a> were selected from over 480,000 applications in 2022 for the 2023 projected period.Employees on an E-2 visa have similar challenges as the L-1 visa holder — they can be employed only by their original employer. If people are on other visas, such as the O-1 or the TN visa, they could work for a new employer upon the approval of a new application.<h2>I don't recall major tech companies ever laying people off at this scale and simultaneously freezing hiring</h2>The situation is such that employers aren't hiring or sponsoring visa applications — and that leaves skilled immigrants with few or no options but to leave the US.This is a moment to recognize that <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-publishes-final-rule-for-certain-employment-based-immigrant-and-nonimmigrant-visa-programs">60 days</a> is not enough time to either wrap up life in the US or find a new job with visa sponsorship. We should advocate extending the grace period; I think the administration should consider implementing a 120-day grace period. It would give both immigrant workers and US businesses the time they need to act.I saw a similar situation unfold during the 2008-2009 recession, and it made me advocate for a "startup visa." Many laid-off clients then told me they wanted to start their own companies and couldn't because of our visa system. My book, "<a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-59897-20&amp;postID=6398b34f20014469dc7f6d1f&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FStartup-Visa-Economic-Prosperity-America%2Fdp%2F1735758531%2Fref%3Dtmm_pap_swatch_0%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1669820210%26sr%3D8-2">My Startup Visa</a>," is now in its second edition, but I haven't seen the change in the law needed.The mass layoffs are giving more urgency than ever for the US to offer a startup visa, a <a href="https://fortune.com/2022/08/19/chips-act-us-employers-tech-talent-immigration-rules-canada-startup-visa-program/">new visa category that exists in other countries</a> to give foreign entrepreneurs permanent residency in that country to create jobs, innovation, and economic growth. It would allow talented entrepreneurs backed by venture, angel funding, or revenue to start their companies in the United States.This is a time to be creative. That's my new mission: using my voice as an immigration lawyer to push for tangible and immediate change.

I'm a lawyer who's helping laid-off Amazon and Facebook employees deal with visa issues. Here's how I advocate for them.

After the US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> administration was pushing for stricter <keyword id="399506" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="H1-B-visa">H1-B visa</keyword> norms, White House press secretary <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/sean-spicer-says-trump-is-extremely-confident-that-doj-will-find-evidence-of-wiretapping/articleshow/57639460.cms">Sean Spicer</a> hinted that the changes might take some time. This has given the Indian companies a breather and now they’ll be able to send <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/indian-it-companies-to-scrutinise-before-sending-you-onsite-due-to-h-1b-priority-suspension/articleshow/57489292.cms">their workers</a> on the basis of existing H-1B visa policy for this year at least. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/h-1b-visa-reforms-half-a-dozen-bills-tabled-to-stop-indian-techies-from-entering-us/articleshow/57558831.cms">H-1B visa reforms: Half a dozen bills tabled to stop Indian techies from entering US</a> 
 
As per Spicer, the Trump administration is having a very "comprehensive" look at the visa policy; he didn’t mention any timeline. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/amidst-visa-uncertainty-in-us-mexico-encourages-firms-to-hire-foreign-talent/articleshow/57648490.cms">Amidst visa uncertainty in US, Mexico encourages firms to hire foreign talent</a> 
 Indian Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> raised concerns about this matter when he met US Congressmen in Delhi; however, as per officials and experts, some changes in US visa rules could not be ruled out. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Donald-Trump-does-a-U-turn-on-H1-B-visa-issue-says-US-needs-highly-skilled-workers/articleshow/51254724.cms">Donald Trump does a U-turn on H1-B visa issue, says US needs highly skilled workers</a> 
 
"The President's actions that he's taken in terms of his executive order and another revamping of immigration policy have focused on our border security, keeping our country safe, our people safe," <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/spicer-blasts-speculation-that-trump-leaked-his-own-tax-return-despicable-i-think-its-offensive/articleshow/57660000.cms">Spicer</a> said. 
 
"And then, obviously, whether it's H-1B visas or the other one - <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/trump-in-no-mood-to-spare-immigrants-goes-after-dependent-spouses-of-h-1b-visa-holders/articleshow/57537572.cms">spousal visas</a> - other areas of student visas, I think there is a natural desire to have a full look at - a comprehensive look at that," he added. 
 
(Image source: DesiCompile)

Change in H-1B visa rules might be delayed; Indian tech companies breathe sigh of relief

<ul><li>US’ <keyword id="6357722" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="silicon-valley">Silicon Valley</keyword> doesn’t agree with US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword>’s new order to extend the suspension of H1-B visas till the end of 2020. </li><li>The order has drawn harsh criticism from <keyword id="6355629" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword>’s <keyword id="164502" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sundar-Pichai">Sundar Pichai</keyword>, Twitter and even e-commerce giant <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>. </li><li>The technology giants in the Silicon Valley believe this is the wrong move at the wrong time and could make a bad situation even worse.</li></ul>Google, <keyword id="6354427" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple">Apple</keyword>, <keyword id="6354576" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword> and other giants of the Silicon Valley aren’t happy with US President’s Donald Trump’s decision to extend the suspension of the tech industry favorite visa, the H-1B, till the end of 2020. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76520775" title="Trump signs a proclamation halting H-1B work visas and other temporary visas" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> “Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success making it a global leader in tech and also Google, the company that it is today,” said Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, an immigrant himself, on Twitter. <div type="twitter" handle="sundarpichai" handlename="Sundar Pichai" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/864282616597405701/M-FEJMZ0_normal.jpg" favoritecount="18416" retweetcount="3481" status="Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Go… https://t.co/dnE6h9JG8U" createdat="1592864457000" id="1275192075214966784"></div> Silicon Valley’s technology companies have relied heavily on the H-1B visa for years, pushing the government to expand the current annual cap of 85,000 new visas in order to accrue the world’s top talent. "This proclamation undermines America’s greatest economic asset: its diversity,” said Twitter’s spokesperson. <div type="twitter" handle="Policy" handlename="Twitter Public Policy" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/880132255011586048/rlZKfFFe_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1053" retweetcount="361" status="Statement on US high-skilled immigration proclamation: &quot;This proclamation undermines America’s greatest economic… https://t.co/D6S9SVol0C" createdat="1592864669000" id="1275192966953476100"></div> Even e-commerce giant Amazon was at par with other technology companies for a change stating, "We oppose the Administration's short-sighted action." "Welcoming the best and the brightest global talent to the U.S. is more important than ever, and we will continue to support efforts that will preserve their ability to strengthen our economy," the company told <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-on-trumps-executive-order-to-temporarily-ban-h1b-visas-2020-6?IR=T">Business Insider</a>. Silicon Valley believes is the wrong move — at the wrong time The Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC), a high-profile lobby group for large technology companies including Silicon Valley giants Apple, Facebook, Google, HP, Oracle and Salesforce, are urging Trump to reconsider. “At a critical time for the U.S. economy, it will have a dangerous impact on the economic recovery and growth for years to come,” it said in a statement. Linda Moore, the CEO of TechNet — another industry group from the Silicon Valley that represents major firms like Apple, Google, Facebook, Cisco, HP, Oracle, Uber and Zoom — said, “This will slow innovation and undermine the work the technology industry is doing to help our country recover from unprecedented events.” BSA — also known as the Software Alliance — points out having access to foreign talents supports 14.4 million jobs and contributes $1.6 trillion in the total value-added GDP of the US every year. “The software industry, as well as companies in other sectors of the economy that employ highly-skilled foreign workers, rely on nonimmigrant visa programs, including H-1B, to recruit for select positions that are critical for their businesses,” it said. In 2020, Facebook has been approved for 666 new and extended H-1B visas for its office in Menlo Park, according to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Google received approval of 824 new and extended visas for its offices in Mountain View. Whereas Apple’s Cupertino offices has obtained approval of 670 new and extended H-1B visas. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/trump-signs-a-proclamation-halting-h1b-work-visas-and-other-temporary-visas/articleshow/76520775.cms">Trump signs a proclamation halting H-1B work visas and other temporary visas</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/200000-h1-b-visa-holders-hope-us-will-extend-status-to-september-as-june-deadline-comes-to-a-close/articleshow/75445367.cms">200,000 H1-B visa holders hope US will extend status to September as June deadline comes to a close</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/more-than-184000-indians-applied-for-h1b-visa-for-fy20-21/articleshow/74938489.cms">More than 184,000 Indians applied for H1B visa for FY20-21 says US</a>

Google’s Sundar Pichai, Facebook and Amazon — here’s how American companies reacted to Donald Trump’s H1-B visa freeze

<ul><li>US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> is expected to announce suspension of H1B, L1 and other temporary work visas.</li><li>The suspension is expected to be announced hours ahead of Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.</li><li>The suspension will not affect those already in the US, the report states.</li></ul>US President Donald Trump said that he will be announcing new visa restrictions in coming days. We're going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on visas," Xinhua news agency quoted Trump as saying in a Fox News interview on Sunday. He however declined to give any details but acknowledged that there will be some exclusions. "You need them for big businesses where they have certain people that have been coming in for a long time, but very little exclusion and they're pretty tight," he said. "And we may even go very tight for a period of time." Fox News Chief White House correspondent John Roberts tweeted that the restrictions will be imposed on H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and J-1 visas. H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff. L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. Trump will reportedly sign an executive order to suspend the visas through the end of the year, as the administration is addressing a major economic fallout, including high unemployment among Americans, amid the coronavirus pandemic. That would be Trump's latest step to restrict immigration. In April, he temporarily halted the issuance of US green cards to some foreigners. Trump, who has maintained a hardline stance on immigration and used that to appeal to his voters, has been accused of using the pandemic to promote his political agenda.

US President Donald Trump to suspend H1B visas, will not affect those already in the states

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Vaishali Gauba dreamed of being a journalist in the US but wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa. </li><li>Years later, Gauba secured a work visa in Canada after moving there to study. </li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Vaishali Gauba, 29, about her experience navigating the US and Canadian immigration systems. Business Insider verified her visas. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-to-usa-denmark-pros-prefer-america-2024-3">moved to the US</a> when I was 17, with ambitions of being a journalist.I grew up in Gurugram, India, and moved to New Jersey in 2012 for my undergraduate degree. I studied journalism, media studies, and business management at Rutgers University.I worked with major US news outlets during and after college and wanted to keep working in America, but couldn't secure an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-startups-sponsor-h1b-work-visas-2024-1">H-1B work visa</a>. I returned to India feeling defeated. Five years later, I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/english-man-moved-to-canada-loves-it-surprising-things-2023-10">relocated to Canada</a>.In Canada, I found a clearer path to securing a work permit, and I'm less worried about being uprooted by the immigration system.<h2 id="b6a8d628-2960-4ae2-bfa9-e6651b4da0a4">I interned at US media companies at university</h2>I came to the US on an F-1 visa, which is for full-time students.During my studies, I worked for the student newspaper, The Daily Targum, and also did news internships at CNBC, NBC, and CBS, which each lasted around four months.I remember having to get permission from international student services and the journalism department to do the internships, as there were restrictions around working off-campus for F-1 students. The work had to be related to my field of study.I remember feeling anxious about needing to get so many approvals to work as an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-employers-can-support-international-students-job-seekers-2022-3">international student</a>, but thankfully, I was permitted to do the internships.Working at big-name publications felt like a milestone, but it was also difficult to balance the internships with two college majors.<h2 id="76d690be-d407-4073-9d70-b7a3d889b3da">I wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa to stay in the US</h2>I became accustomed to the reality that anything related to my professional life required a lot of paperwork. I knew that to continue working in the US, I needed to apply for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-arrests-15-students-employed-fake-companies-to-stay-us-2020-10">optional practical training</a>, which allows F-1 students to work for a year in a field related to their studies.I graduated in May 2016, and after my OPT was approved, I started on the CBS Page Program, a rotational program for graduates.I had several assignments there, including on the evening news and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I talked with Stephen Colbert at the show's rooftop parties and saw many celebrities on the job.But my time there was limited. The Page Program lasted a year, around the time my OPT expired. After six months on the program, I asked CBS about the possibility of sponsoring me for an H-1B visa but was told they don't offer sponsorships.I didn't realize this when I started working there, but I wanted the experience and to work on my OPT, so I would have done the program regardless.I applied to other jobs, but many applications included a question about whether I'd need a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fake-name-resume-hired-guilty-2024-5">visa sponsorship</a> now or in the future. I felt that this one question was already filtering me out as a candidate and I wasn't getting called for interviews.I spoke with two lawyers about my options. They told me about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ukraine-tech-culture-differences-2024-5">O-1 visa</a> for people with "extraordinary" ability in certain fields. I tried gathering references for the application, but as time went on, I felt my chances were slim.This is partly because the lawyers shared case studies of people who received O-1 visas with me, and I felt they were more arts-orientated than journalism-orientated. I felt the lawyers weren't confident I had a good chance, so I decided not to apply.Extended family members and lawyers suggested I continue my education to stay in the US on another F-1 visa. I eventually decided against this as I didn't think I could learn anything about news from a school program I wasn't already learning at CBS.<h2 id="f3fc1807-fde1-4bd6-b552-e9cd476f3cef">I went back to India feeling defeated</h2>I started to feel lost. I remember lashing out at my dad on the phone when he suggested I come home, but in the end, I had a gut feeling that it was time to return to India, so <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-us-for-northern-ireland-these-cultural-differences-surprised-me-2023-9">I left the US</a> in August 2017.It felt like a defeat. I knew I wanted to be a journalist in America, but I couldn't do it. I'd given so much to the US in terms of time, energy, and money, and it was hard to accept that I had to give up on it because of visa stuff.I spent the next five years in India, working in journalism before pivoting into a brand and communications position. In 2021, I began freelancing in PR and marketing strategy.I planned on doing a master's in digital media to boost my PR career. My boyfriend at the time, who's my husband now, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-sydney-australia-to-canada-pros-cons-2024-5">moved to Canada</a> for his MBA in 2021, so I started exploring master's options there.<h2 id="d34eb837-2609-4a93-ba9b-25683513eb6c">I've found the Canadian immigration system to be more immigrant-friendly</h2>I came to Canada on a study permit and started my master's program at Toronto Metropolitan University in September 2022.I applied for a work visa in September 2023 after finishing my studies. While it took a long time to get my study permit because of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cicnews.com/2023/12/breaking-canadian-parliament-committee-provides-recommendations-to-address-immigration-backlogs-1240610.html#gs.bm1bft">the backlog created by COVID-19</a>, the work visa process took less than a month and was fairly easy.Graduating from my master's program made me eligible for an open work permit, which isn't tied to a specific employer. I'm self-employed as a freelancer.Unlike the US <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B process</a>, I didn't need an employer to sponsor me, and there was no lottery system.While I'm aware that some people have a hard time coming to Canada, my overall experience of Canadian immigration processes has been smooth. I feel it's more favorable to immigrants than the US processes.I couldn't get a work visa in the US, but there was a clearer and more stable path to getting one in Canada.When I left the US in 2017, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-first-week-as-president-2017-1">Donald Trump</a> had just become president. My understanding is that it's become <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-twitter-speak-out-against-trump-h1b-visa-freeze-2020-6">harder to get a work visa in the US</a> since.My work visa expires in October 2024, and I'm open to options for settling in Canada beyond that. Moving back to India is still a small possibility as my partner, and I have family there, but I like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montreal-canada-city-low-cost-of-living-quality-of-life-2024-6">quality of life in Canada</a>, and I'm less concerned about my life being uprooted here than I was in the US.

I lost my dream job in the US because I couldn't get a work visa. In Canada, the pathway has been much smoother. 

Following the change in visa rules by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/trump-wants-to-encourage-hiring-americans/articleshow/58239808.cms">US government</a>, Australia too has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/us-singapore-and-now-australia-country-to-abolish-work-visa-programme-popular-among-indians-says-jobs-for-australians/articleshow/58237630.cms">scrapped its visa programme</a> which was largely used for transfer of skilled foreign workers. Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has done away with the 457 visa, which was started four years ago for entry of highly skilled migrants in the island country. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/it-veteran-mohandas-pai-says-rigorous-visa-rules-a-blessing-in-disguise-for-indian-it-firms/articleshow/58146465.cms">IT veteran Mohandas Pai says rigorous visa rules a blessing in disguise for Indian IT firms</a> As per IT industry analysts, this was a surprise move, given that almost 95,000 skilled migrants are currently in Australia on 457 visas, out of which a major portion is of being Indian techies. With this move, Australia has become the third country to do away with or change its work visa or permit programme in less than two months. Earlier <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/more-trouble-another-country-has-blocked-visas-for-indian-it-professionals/articleshow/57984545.cms">Singapore</a>, which used to be a large market for Indian engineers, and the US, which attracts techies from world over and was for a long time considered a dream land by Indians, amended their work visa rules to protect local jobs. Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/with-tougher-visa-rules-india-is-sending-only-its-real-talent-to-the-us/articleshow/58023132.cms">With tougher visa rules, India is sending only its real talent to the US</a> Indian techies, however, are feeling the heat of these decisions as all these countries used to be on the list of places they could go to for career enhancement and professional growth. United Kingdom has significantly increased the cost of visas used by Indian techies, which has further increased the chances of Indians not migrating there for jobs or onsite. (Image source Webifornia)

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