Trump merit-based immigration proposal could hurt Indian diaspora
The Trump administration has sent a list of immigration proposals to Congress. This contains a measure calling for the elimination of Green Cards for extended family members, such as parents and siblings of existing holders, a reason for the Indian diaspora's expansion. The measure is part of a merit-based immigration system that eliminates family-based Green Cards for those having more skills and financial self-support.
The White House has listed several measures which US President Donald Trump insists should be part of any legislation for the recently deferred Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme. The measures include funding for Trump's controversial border wall, faster deportations and hiring thousands of new immigration personnel. The move represents a complete turnaround from the DACA "deal" reportedly reached between Trump and Democrats.
The new proposals are part of measures which Trump insists should be part of any legislation for the recently deferred DACA programme. The proposals made no reference to H-1B visas which US companies use to hire highly-skilled labor from abroad. However, there were some proposals to prevent "replacement of US citizen workers by non-immigrant workers (H-1B) or the preferential hiring of such foreign workers."
Trump had earlier ordered the H-1B visa rules and regulations to be reviewed to ensure US jobs aren't lost to foreigners. He also ordered a crackdown on H-1B visa fraud and abuse, which was viewed with concern in India. Indian IT companies and workers are major beneficiaries of the H-1B visas. It remains unclear whether Trump's recent announcement encompasses the H-1B review.
