The US state of Texas has sided with President Donald Trump in his more aggressive immigration policy by halting H-1B visa applications to state agencies and public universities, in what was seen as a potential massive blow to the high-skilled Indian professionals. This ruling was upheld by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and is a new blow to foreign professionals operating or interested in the employment in the public sector in the state.
Just months later, the announcement was announced following President Trump announcing a drastic increase in fees for H-1B visa holders, signaling an increase in an overall crackdown on skilled immigration. In an official letter describing the decision, Abbott reasoned that the H-1B visa programme has become more and more abused, and jobs that were allocated to Americans were occupied by foreign employees.
Instead of bringing the brightest and best people globally to our country to occupy actually specialized and unmet labor requirements, the program has been too frequently deployed to occupy what would otherwise be recruitable by Texans, Abbott wrote. One of the major Republicans and a Trump ally, the governor emphasized that this was done to secure local jobs.
The freeze only concerns state-operated agencies and universities which have historically employed H-1B professionals with a high level of applicability especially in technology, research, engineering and higher education. The biggest category of H-1B visa holders in the US is Indians and the decision bearing particular consequence to these immigrants.
Abbott explained the move as being consistent with his larger objective of making Texas the strongest economic engine in America, that he put a greater emphasis on domestic talent as he advanced the administration agenda of tightening their immigration policy. The choice has raised a concern in the academic institution and talented foreign employees who worry about the long-term consequences of innovation and research in the state.
Join our whatsapp group for the latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News