![]() In 2016, the legislation, “H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2016” was introduced which if passed, will restrict Indian based IT companies in the US from hiring Indian employees on the H-1B and L-1 visas. Such bills are being passed with the idea that Americans should be hired first. However, the Indian IT industry is of the belief that this bill has not addressed the issue of the shortage of STEM skills in the US. STEM refers to the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Shortage of STEM skills in the US The Vice President and Head of Global Trade Development in Nasscom, Mr. Shivendra Singh pointed out that the data received from the Labor Department of America also reflects the shortage of STEM skills currently in the economy. And passing this bill would adversely impact the economy as it is restricting foreign based companies unfairly and would cause a lot of issues for American customers who regularly require IT support. The projections by the Labor Department harp on the shortfall of college graduates from STEM background entering the American workforce and is of the notion that by the year 2018, US may see 2.4 million unfilled positions in the STEM workforce, specifically in computer and IT related jobs. In computer programming alone, there could be a million unfilled positions by the year 2020. Under the H-1B visa program, companies based in the US can hire a maximum of 85,000 foreign workers per year out of which 65,000 can be hired abroad and 20,000 foreign nationals who are studying in the US. Of the 65,000 foreign nationals hired, around 25,000 to 35,000 H-1B visas are being issued to Indian nationals. The present situation after the US Elections The president of United States, Donald Trump’s pick for the position of Attorney General, Senator Jeff Sessions is assuring lawmakers that steps will be taken to push legislative measures that will curb the misuse of H-1B and L-1 visa, which are extensively used by Indian professionals. Currently, India is the biggest single country source for work visas as American companies as well as Indian companies operating in America hire Indian professionals on such visas. Cognizant, IBM and other companies will face the worst brunt of the bill, if passed. If Senator Jeff Sessions is confirmed by the US Senate, he will head the office of Special Counsel for immigration-related unfair employment practices. The office is intended to protect foreign employees who hold valid employment visas from being discriminated, however, the office is also obliged to ensure that American workers are not being discriminated in the workforce. Bills that could hurt Indian employment in the US The bill on the H-1B visas has recently been reintroduced in the US Congress by 2 lawmakers who believe that this bill will be break the abuse of work visas in the country. Another bill “Protect and Grow American Jobs Act” was also re-introduced by Republicans Scott Peters and Darrell Issac on January 5th, 2017. This bill focuses on making crucial changes to the current eligibility requirements for H-1B Visa exemptions. Furthermore, the bill also focuses on increasing the H-1B visa minimum salary to $100,000 per year and eliminate the exemption of a Master’s Degree.
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