US Commerce Secretary Hints at The End of H-1B: What You Need to Know

In a recent interview with Fox News’s The Ingraham Angle, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik hinted at a possible plan to terminate the H-1B program. He commented ‘I'm involved in changing the H1-B visa program. We're going to change that program because that's terrible, right? We're going to change the green card.’

This remark has once again stirred anxiety and panic among many aspirants who have previously depended on the H-1B pathway. But all the tumultuous transformations in and around this visa program are also indicating a broader revision directed at the green card in America. Here, we have assessed what this remark could potentially indicate and how you can stay prepared for any such future change.

What does the Trump administration propose to change?

The fallout of H-1B is not as recent as it seems. Back in January, US President Donald Trump gave a statement, arguing that the United States should only attract the ‘competent’ and ‘extraordinarily skilled’ professionals. Previously, the programme has allowed employers in the US to hire non-immigrant workers for a range of speciality occupations.

Last Tuesday, Trump addressed a press conference at the White House and emphasised the urgency to draw talented professionals to the nation. He reportedly remarked that the H-1B programme is a key instrument for enriching the nation’s economy through the participation and contribution of the skilled international workers.

Trump expressed his enthusiasm to accommodate ‘quality people’ who can bolster the nation’s economy to a significant extent. He remarked: ‘You got to get the best people...We have to have the quality people coming in... By doing that, we're expanding businesses, and that takes care of everybody... But what I really do feel is that we have to let really competent people, great people, come into our country, and we do that through the H-1B.’

Questions might arise as to why stakeholders of the same administration are hinting at or proposing to end the ‘H-1B system’. However, in 2016, Mr. Trump also condemned the inner workings of the H-1B system. He vented his doubts that the system is a means for companies to replace American professionals with lower-paid foreign employees.

The ‘gold card’ statement of the commerce secretary

Mr. Lutnik also added in the context of the same comment to Fox News: ‘That’s the gold card that’s coming. And that’s when we’re going to start picking the best people to come into this country. It’s time for that to change.’

The anticipated Gold Card will reportedly offer permanent residency to foreigners who can invest $5 million in the United States. The spokesperson has emphasised that there is a sustained interest in the upcoming gold card programme, with 2,50,000 people supposedly waiting in line. He also hints at the amount of revenue the program is set to generate so far, which boils down to a stunning $1.25 trillion in revenue.

This comment shows that the traditional H-1B system is going to get more and more stringent. And, the administration will clearly prioritise nationwide revenue over openness in immigration policy.

Amidst this changing landscape, we are encouraging the industry experts to explore the far more stable employment-based category, i.e. EB-1A. In our EB-1A green card consultancy, we walk all the arduous steps with you to help you showcase your skills and extraordinary ability. Reach out to us and find out how we can help you out.