End of American Dream? Trump planning to suspend some Visas

President Trump has been struggling in the polls recently because of his handling of COVID and race relations. But on the economy he has been doing quite well. His main agenda has been to ensure more money in the hands of ordinary Americans through 4 broad approaches – Fair Trade, Direct Cash in hands of those who lost jobs, Opening up the American Lockdown Quickly and ensuring more jobs are created locally. The last action is critical to India as numerous Indians travel and work in the United States, particularly in IT firms.

American Media is reporting that President Trump is likely to bar entry to the U.S. for H-1B, H-2B, L-1 and J-1 applicants and this could initially be in effect for 90 to 180 days. Some 85000 people are issued and H-1B visa annually

It is also likely that new laws could be brought to tighten working in the United States. It is unclear what will be done but certainly these laws are likely to be brought in the next few months as President Trump would like to showcase his actions before the election in November. While the American Public have been appreciative of Trump’s economic strategy, continued unemployment in November will be a huge disaster for President Trump

The impact of these regulations may not be very adverse as Indian Tech Companies have been facing tightening of these restrictions ever since Trump came to power in early 2017.

Under the Trump administration, more H-1B petitions are initially being denied, but a growing number of these denials are later overturned. Denials of new H-1B petitions for initial employment rose from 6 percent in FY 2015 to 21 percent in FY 2019.

– American Immigration Council

However, free mobility of labour is an important element of Trade and any restrictions that will even hurt India a bit will attract the attention of the Modi Government in taking reciprocal Action.