Over the past few weeks, prominent figures such as tech billionaire Elon Musk and politician Vivek Ramaswamy have been vocal in advocating for the H-1B visa program, which facilitates the entry of skilled foreign workers into the US, emphasising the need for its “urgent reform.”
“I’m in America, along with many other essential individuals who helped build SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that have strengthened the country, thanks to the H-1B program,” Musk, who worked in the U.S. early in his career on an H1B visa, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Musk’s statement came after supporters of Trump’s hardline Make America Great Again base criticised the President-elect’s decision to appoint Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-born venture capitalist, as the administration’s AI policy advisor.
According to reports, USCIS received 780,884 H-1B registrations, in the 2024 fiscal year, marking a substantial rise compared to the 483,927 registrations submitted in FY 2023.
The current annual statutory cap allows for 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for international professionals who have earned a master’s degree or doctorate from a US institution.
Research shows that meeting U.S. employers’ increasing needs for STEM talent, for example, will require both growing the domestic STEM workforce and attracting international talent
Jill Allen Murphy, NAFSA
With many of these graduates being from fields such as mathematics, technology, engineering, and medical sciences, H1B plays a pivotal role among international students looking for post-study work opportunities in the US.
“The H-1B program is the primary vehicle for international student graduates to work in the United States after completing Optional Practical Training (OPT),” said Jill Allen Murphy, deputy executive director, public policy, NAFSA: Association of International Education.
“Research shows that meeting U.S. employers’ increasing needs for STEM talent, for example, will require both growing the domestic STEM workforce and attracting international talent.”
Although Trump has described himself as “a believer” in H-1B visas and supported green cards for international graduates in the US, his first term saw a higher denial rate for H-1B petitions compared to the previous four years.
However, with an increasing number of these denials being overturned, the denial rates dropped significantly in the latter half of financial year 2020.
Denials of new H-1B petitions for initial employment rose from 6% in financial year 2015 to a peak of 24% in financial year 2018. The rates then declined to 21% in financial year 2019, 13% the following year, 4% in FY 2021, and just 2% in the year after that.
Murphy believes that while Trump’s recent comments and the ensuing backlash create uncertainty for the international education community in the US, it is still crucial to take his statements seriously.
“As the incoming president, we must take what he says seriously while also recognizing that ultimately, actions are most important. We must wait to see what actions he and his administration take once he is sworn in,” said Murphy.
According to Clay Harmon, executive director, AIRC, Trump’s comments are a “broad recognition across many sectors and perspectives that the US education system and economy offer excellent opportunities to people from all over the world”.
“A significant portion of US political and business leadership place value on supporting US employers’ ability to attract global talent,” said Harmon.
“I would caution international students against reading any further into his remarks during the transition period.”
Last month, the outgoing Biden administration announced a rule to modernise the H1-B visa programme, aiming to streamline the approval process, enhance employers’ ability to recruit overseas talent, and impose penalties on companies that misuse the system.
Effective January 17, 2025, the rule introduces extended protections for F-1 students transitioning to H-1B status to prevent disruptions in employment authorisation.
“We are grateful that the Department of Homeland Security has issued a new final rule to simplify and streamline some parts of the H-1B application process, which should make it easier for some international students to transition to H-1Bs,” said Harmon.
Despite the recent changes, many international graduates, particularly those in STEM fields, feel that the ongoing debate surrounding the H-1B program directly affects them.
Sahil Mhatre, who completed his post graduation in computer science from Syracuse University, is one such individual.
“As an international graduate, the current rhetoric around the H-1B visa does add some stress, primarily because it limits my immediate job opportunities,” said Mhatre.
“My friends and colleagues do express some anxiety, mainly because, while many top firms are still providing H-1B sponsorship, landing a position at these firms has become increasingly competitive.”
According to Mhatre, many of his American colleagues and friends “value the contribution of international professionals”, and he rarely encounters anyone opposing H-1Bs.
“However, I have heard that some Americans are concerned about the potential impact on local jobs, especially given the unstable job market and economic factors,” stated Mhatre.
The discussion surrounding the H-1B programme arises as US universities urge international students to return to campuses before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
These advisories stem from concerns that the incoming administration might enact a travel ban similar to the one that left many students stranded abroad at the beginning of Trump’s previous term.
Certainly, governmental policies here and there could have an impact, good or bad, in terms of increasing student enrolment
Fred Pestello, St. Louis University
According to Fred Pestello, president, St. Louis University, it’s important to take a wait-and-watch approach rather than giving into any speculations surrounding the incoming administration’s approach towards international students.
“Certainly, governmental policies here and there could have an impact, good or bad, in terms of increasing student enrolment. I guess it’s a lot of speculation, but it’s not yet known what direction the incoming administration would take with respect to this,” Pestello told The PIE News.
“I am hoping for a policy that allows as much free flow as possible for students across nations to pursue their dreams and aspirations through education. I believe it’s beneficial for everyone to have the flexibility for students to study where they wish, for the reasons that matter most to them.”
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