Trump Suspends H-1B, L-1, Green Card, And Other Visas Till Year-End

Trump on Monday extended a ban on green cards issued outside the US until the end of the year and added many temporary work visas to the freeze. Trump suspended H-1B visas that are popular among Indian techies along with other foreign work visas for the rest of the year.

Trump also suspends and limits entry into the US of H-1B, H-2B, and L visas and their dependents till December 31, 2020. It also includes certain categories of J visas like a trainee, camp counselor, intern, teacher, and summer work travel programme.

Trump said the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the current pandemic crisis.

The proclamation comes into effect on June 24 and it is expected to impact a large number of Indian techies and several American and Indian companies who issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1.

They would now have to wait at least till the end of the current year. It would also impact Indian IT professionals who are seeking renewal of their H-1B visas.

The proclamation also extends till the end of the year his previous executive order that had banned issuing new green cards of lawful permanent residency.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that he was disappointed by the proclamation and added that Google would continue to stand with the immigrants.

"Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today’s proclamation - we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all," Pichai wrote on Twitter.

The new rule would apply only to those who are outside America, do not have a valid non-immigrant visa and an official travel document other than a visa to enter the country.

According to the proclamation, it does not have an impact on lawful PR of the US and foreign nationals who are spouses or children of an American citizen.

Foreign nationals seeking to enter the US to provide temporary labor or services essential to the food supply chain are also exempted from the latest proclamation.