Amid H-1B visa turmoil, some Indians lose jobs, others dreams

For thousands of Indians, the H-1B visa is the ticket to realising their American dream. But that dream might after all be crumbling for many Indians as some are seeing their job offers being withdrawn amid the confusion over what Trump 2.0 might bring. Even before President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office on January 20, Indians might be witnessing what is to come. From revoked job offers to uncertainty about studying in the US, the H-1B visa debate is upending the lives of many Indians who dream of a life in the US and those who are already there.

The H-1B visa programme is the largest temporary work visa for foreigners in the US. It allows employers to hire foreign workers on the basis of “distinguished merit and ability”.

A Pew Research report from 2023 shows that US immigration increased by 1.6 million, the largest increase in the last two decades.

This might be the resentment of many Americans. This has led to policies encouraging more jobs for Americans in the US.

Trump has promised to implement strict immigration policies and hire more Americans.

The scare and debate on the immigration system come at a heavy cost for Indians, who are the largest H-1B visa holders in the US.

DREAMS CRUSHED FOR MANY WHO WANT TO GO TO THE US

“It is stamped on my brain,” Ashish Chauhan told BBC about his dream of going to an American college for an MBA degree.

For Chauhan, the American dream would start with him earning an MBA from a US university. But with H-1B visa debates intensifying, fuelled by Trump supporters, he feels his plans are in the doldrums.

The H-1B visa programme, designed to bring skilled foreign workers to the US, has drawn criticism for allegedly undercutting American workers. Indians dominate the programme, securing 72% of H-1B visas, compared to 12% for Chinese nationals.

Most visa holders work in STEM fields, particularly computer-related jobs. But Indian H-1B visa holders are facing increased scrutiny and backlash.

Concerns extend beyond new applicants. Many worry about the treatment of Indians already settled in the US.

“My worry is that this resistance to H-1B visas could spark animosity towards Indians living there. But I can’t park my ambitions, put my life on hold, and wait for the volatility to subside because it’s been like this for years,” Chauhan told the BBC.

Indian students might be looking at other options after creating a boom for American Universities.

The number of Indian students in the US has skyrocketed, with a staggering 35% increase in just one year. Currently, there are over 250,000 students from India at US universities.

However, there is a sense of concern about employment in the US now.

US JOB OFFERS RESCINDED FOR INDIANS BEFORE TRUMP TAKES OFFICE

V Puvvada (name changed) shared her story with The Times of India, recounting how her job offer was rescinded just a month after she received it. The reason she said that was cited was “changing visa dynamics”.

“I was offered the job in December 2024, and since I had a written confirmation, I resigned from my current role,” she said.

They have also questioned that while the reasons for a pause in their offer letters were not clearly stated to be a new administration in the US, there might be a connection.

“I feel cheated. Why offer a role when you’re not sure about sponsoring the visa? They later said that they will issue my offer letter again when the whole discussion is settled and there is a concrete decision, as Donald Trump assumes once. But how long can I wait?” Puvvada added.

People have also discussed how not allowing Indians into the US will not stop them from getting hired.

“Why abolishing H1-B may not solve the employment problem for Americans? Well, US corporations may simply hire Indians in India, without bringing them in as immigrants to the US,” wrote a person on X.

Saniya, who moved from Nagpur to the US in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree, also expressed her anxiety about her future, according to The Times of India report.

“I was told they would register me for the H-1B lottery in March 2025. But they haven’t even initiated the process. Does it mean they’ll file for my H-1B later, or are they planning to fire me if major reforms happen?” she said.

Even those with secure visas are uneasy. A software developer from Gujarat, currently working in California, expressed his concerns.

“The management hasn’t stated categorically if these lay-offs are linked to visa issues, but the timing is suspicious,” he told TOI.

He also highlighted the testing situation for visa holders, who must secure a new job within 60 days of losing their current one to remain in the US.

WHAT FUTURE HOLDS FOR H-1B VISA HOLDERS IN TRUMP 2.0

Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration scholar at Cornell Law School, discussed the challenges under Trump’s second administration.

“The first Trump administration tightened H-1B visas by increasing denial rates and slowing processing times, making it harder for people to secure visas on time. It is unclear whether that will happen again in the second Trump administration,” he told the BBC.

While some, like Elon Musk, advocate for preserving the H-1B visa programme, others in the administration push for stricter immigration policies.

“It’s too early to tell which side will prevail,” Yale-Loehr added.

H-1B visa holders in the US often earn significantly higher salaries compared to similar roles in their home countries. Losing access to these opportunities could have a major financial impact.

For many, the H-1B visa represents a pathway to permanent residency. But the process is slower.

“Getting a green card means signing up for an endless wait of 20–30 years,” Atal Agarwal, who runs a firm using AI to help find global visa options told the BBC.

It was already difficult to get a green card, but now many fear what the future holds. As Trump’s administration prepares to take office, the future of the H-1B visa programme hangs in the balance. Indians, however, are already getting a feel of what could be early jitters.

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