US Unveils H-1B Visa Programme Reforms Amid Backlash, Will Indians Benifit From It?

New The Biden administration has announced its plans to overhaul the H-1B visa programme, which has been accused of being exploited by big tech firms at the expense of American workers, news agency ANI reported. The Department of Homeland Security has started the process of making new rules to simplify the eligibility criteria, give more options to both employers and foreign workers, and fight fraud and abuse in the programme.

The H-1B visa programme is mainly used by the tech industry, with Amazon topping the list of approved petitions in FY 2021, followed by Google, IBM, and Microsoft, as reported by Fox Business, a conservative business news outlet. Supporters of the programme say that it helps fill the gaps in the labour market and does not lower wages.

Some of the key changes proposed by the administration include:

• Making it clear what kinds of degrees qualify for meeting the education requirement
• Giving exemptions to non-profits and government research organisations
• Making it easier for students to switch to H-1B visas
• Taking steps to stop abuse, such as site visits and limits on multiple applications for the same person

“DHS continues to develop and implement regulations that increase efficiency and improve processes for employers and workers navigating the immigration system,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s priority is to attract global talent, reduce undue burdens on employers, and prevent fraud and abuse in the immigration system,” he added, as reported by Fox Business.

What Are The Criticisms?

While the administration hopes to address the concerns about the programme, some critics have demanded its complete abolition. Former Vice President Mike Pence previously called for banning H-1B visas for Chinese nationals in the tech industry due to worries about national security and intellectual property threats.

Rep Jim Banks introduced a bill to set a minimum wage for H-1B recipients, matching the salaries of American workers in similar positions or USD 110,000, whichever is higher. Recently, 2024 presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy said he would “gut” the programme if elected president.

“The lottery system needs to be replaced by actual meritocratic admission. It’s a form of indentured servitude that only benefits the company that sponsored an H-1B immigrant. I’ll gut it,” he said in a statement to Politico, as reported by Fox Business.