Here’s why US cannot afford to lose H1B professionals. This is what’s at stake

US President Donald Trump has vowed to bring back jobs to Americans by cutting down the dependency on professionals on H1B visas.

Trump has kickstarted a ‘Made in America’ campaign, which follows only one rule ‘buy American, hire American’.

“My administration will follow a simple rule — buy American, hire American. Years earlier we used to take pride in buying things ‘Made in America’. We love our companies, but we don’t love them when they go out of our country. There will be consequences,” Trump had said at an event.

In this regard, the H1B visa programme bill was reintroduced in the White House recently, suggesting to increase the minimum salary of H1-B visa holders to $1,00,000 per annum and prohibiting companies from hiring H1-B employees if they employ more than 50 people and more than 50% of their employees are H1-B and L-1 visa holders.

If the bill gets passed, it is certain that many countries, especially India, will face the heat. But, even the US will be at the losing end.

Even if American companies don’t want to hire H1B professionals, they are bound to because what’s at stake is –innovation and technology.

“There is a misunderstanding in the Trump administration and by many Americans that H1B workers are taking away American jobs. I can tell you companies don’t want to hire H1B employees as they are expensive and the process is complicated. But, they don’t have Americans with those degrees. The problem is there are no Americans graduating in technology and tech degrees. If the effort of the new administration is to increase the productivity and innovation, that’s great but they cannot do that by snatching away the talent those companies need,” said Jose Latour, President & Managing Director, American Venture Solutions, who is also a former diplomatic and consular with over 25 years of investment based immigration experience.

India sends highest number of H1B visas and the new bill will definitely impact the Indian IT sector.

READ ALSO: These are top 10 companies that will be adversely affected due to US' new H1b visa rule

It is noteworthy that this is not the first time H1B visa programme is facing the heat.

“There was a similar situation some 15 years ago. A senator from Miami wanted to eliminate H1B and Microsoft was opening a new factory in Washington. Bill Gates then moved to Canada. There were hundreds of jobs that went to Canadians. America cannot work without foreign degree professionals in science. We all know that. This is a big political game. It will destroy innovation in America,” said Latour.

So, in case Trump wants to increase jobs for Americans, he will have to compromise in tech and innovation. It is time to wait and watch!