U.S. Temporarily Suspends ‘Green Cards & Non-Migrant Work Visas’ till 31st December 2020

Following a global economic crisis since the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic back in March 2020, the United States Government has decided to suspend ‘Green Cards and Non-Migrant Work Visas’ till the 31^st December 2020 in an effort to protect jobs for the citizens of the United States.

The executive order was signed by the United States President Donald Trump on 22^nd June 2020.

Background

The suspension of Green Card and Non-migrant work visas will create around 5,25,000 jobs in the United States. Due to COVID-19, as per reports, a record 47 million could lose their jobs in the United States.

Suspended Work Visas

1. H-1B
2. H-4 for some H-1B spouses
3. H-2B for low skill workers
4. L-1 for Intra-Company Transfers
5. J Visas for Educational and Cultural Workers

Reform in H-1B Visa Programme

President Donald Trump had also instructed his administration to make reform in the current H-1B Visa Programme.  As per the reform, immigrant workers those who are offered the highest wages by the recruiter shall be given priority, this is to ensure that the wages of United States citizens are protected as employers will not be able to recruit low-cost foreign labour.

Until today, the H-1B visas were distributed through a random lottery.

Impact on India

Every year H-1B Visas are issued to 85,000 only, out of these, as per the records the largest beneficiaries of the visa programme was the Indians. A more than 70 percent of the total 85,000 beneficiaries are from India.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2020