We have been evidencing constant changes in the U.S. immigration policy ever since the presidency of Donald Trump. Most of the policies are not welcoming to immigrants despite the U.S. being “A Nation of Immigrants”.
The federal government is demonstrating its power to transform the U.S. immigration system.
According to a Homeland Security spokesman,” What we’re trying to do is make it a fair system, secure the borders, put Americans first and reform it in a way that keeps America safe.”
However, the experts are of the opinion that all these small moves are for a dramatic change.
The administration has made several moves in recent weeks, few of which have been listed below:
- The Trump administration will no longer seek to automatically release pregnant immigrants from detention. The Obama administration urged officers to release a pregnant immigrant other than for extreme circumstances.
- The Trump administration is seeking to change the visa application rules for both non-immigrants and immigrants by requesting them to submit details of their previous phone numbers, email addresses, social media histories and international travel history for the past five years
- The Trump administration has privately floated the idea of funding for the construction of a border wall with Mexico through the U.S. military resources since the Congress has rejected the request for funds and authority
- The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tightened the H-1B visa rules for both the employer and employee. An employer may now not file more than one H-1B petition on behalf of the same beneficiary if the beneficiary is subject to the numerical cap limit.
- The Trump administration is planning to repeal the Obama administration rule which allows H-1B visa spouse to work in the U.S. with valid Employment Authorisation Document (EAD), a move that could have a devastating impact on tens of thousands of Indians. A formal communication is expected to be made later this summer.
All these modifications are for putting The American workers first – “Buy America, Hire America” so as to create higher wages and employment rates for U.S. workers and to protect the U.S. economy, thereby, setting higher bars for non-immigrant workers entering the U.S.
Sukanya Raman, Immigration Executive
Keyword: Trump Administration, USCIS, Buy America, Hire America.
Sources: CNN Politics, USCIS, BBC