H1-B Visa Holder Suffer Survival Problem in the US

The United States has become the Epicenter of Coronavirus Infections across the Globe. The country had recorded more cases than China where the virus was first born and Italy where there is complete mayhem due to the Virus. This has become a bane for the H1-B holders who are majorly Indians.

Corona Crisis has caused so many job losses and H1-B workers are the major losers. Federal rules require unemployed H-1B visa workers to leave the United States in 60 days after they lose their jobs. This rule was not a problem earlier because they could simply get new jobs from Indian-run outsourcing companies.

However, this is not the case now and many face the danger of deportation now. They now need more time to find jobs that will keep them in the United States. With the Social Distancing announced till April 30th and the cases on an increase every day, it looks like the redemption is not round the corner.

Even to go back to India, those people who are due for Visa expiry in March and early April could not fly to their country since International Flights are suspended not allowed to India. Trump administration is known for tightening rules of H1-B visas renewals and approvals in the last couple of years. Also, there is no scope for new hiring across many companies.

“We request the government to temporarily extend the 60-Day grace period to 180 days and protect the H1B workers under these difficult times. Thank you!,” says a White House petition signed by almost 20,000 people. Ahead of the elections in November, the feel Trump would relax the rule in lieu of the support from Indian Diaspora.