US: Trump Administration’s Possible Impact On Immigration

President Donald Trump’s previous rule has been a nightmare to immigrants, particularly those who have been in the US on work visas like H-1B. From many denials to RFEs, H-1B visa holders had to face the heat during Trump’s last term. Now that the Republican President is back and also bringing back the Immigration hardliner Stephen Miller on board, there were many doubts and questions on immigrants’ minds and let us see what change could likely happen in Trump’s new rule.

• H-1B Denials: Donald Trump’s previous term had seen a lot of H-1B visa holders going back showing the reason that their job description does not match with the ‘speciality occupation’ criteria set for the H-1B visa policy. Many H-1B visa holders, a large number of Indians in them are now worried if it is going to happen again.
• Local Hire: Trump earlier stood by his motto ‘Buy American Hire American’ which troubled the companies and foreign employees alike. Trump’s rule pressured employers to hire the locals or pay 40 to 100 percent more to the foreign employees if they are hiring them. rump could possibly continue this policy to make employers hire more Americans.
• H-1B Spouse work Authorization: This has been one of the main policies Trump wants to bring on. Donald Trump is against the work authorization for H-1B employee spouses. Trump’s government brought the bill to ban the H4 work authorization but it did not pass back then and now there is a possibility that he could revisit the policy.
• Birthright Citizenship: Trump’s government has been against the birthright citizenship. Well, this is not for the immigrants who have been staying legally and working in the country, but for the illegal immigrants.
• Student visa Denial: Trump’s rule in the previous term scared a lot of students away with extra scrutiny and strenuous policies. Many students were deported due to the lack of admission to recognized and reputed universities. Thousands of students had to undergo strict immigration upon arrival in the US. The scenario could come back if Trump wants to focus on decreasing the number of students in the US.
• Green Card: The long wait for a Green Card still continues with a lot of work visa holders in line. However, Trump’s podcast promise about issuing Green Cards to the people who studied in the US seems to have many ifs and buts. Trump’s Green Card statement about students might not be about the master students.

There could be more cons than pros to immigrants with Trump’s rule, but many experts also opine that the President could be focusing on wealth and development rather than just immigration policies. With Elon Musk in the administration this time, it also has to be seen how it influences Trump’s rule.