Latest news with #H-1b
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian-origin Howard University professor says H-1B visas have no connection to US worker shortage
Howard University professor Ron Hira said H-1B visa programs that allow US companies to hire skilled labour from outside the country have no connection to merit or shortage of US workers for those specific jobs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ron Hira, whose parents were Indians and came to the US on similar visas has long been a critic of the H-1b visa programs as he argued that companies misuse these programs to outsource cheaper employees instead of giving work to US graduates. In 2016, he gave a testimony in the Senate on immigration and detailed that both his parents were from India and his wife is an India-born. And hence to testify against this visa program was very meaningful to him personally. Amid the ongoing H-1B row, triggered by the release of the latest H-1B figures of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Roh Hira said that H-1B workers get selected by a random lottery and not the best and brightest. The USCIS revealed that the administration selected 120,141 H-1B visa applications for 2026, which is the lowest since 2021, but US tech workers claim that the number is huge given the massive layoffs that are happening in companies. USCIS makes selections by lottery every year when the agency receives more H-1B electronic registrations than permitted. The annual H-1B limit is 65,000 plus a 20,000 exemption for individuals with an advanced degree from a US university. The H-1B figures for 2026 have puzzled MAGA, as they expected a crackdown on H-1B from the Donald Trump administration. During the major H-1B row that involved Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy supporting the program, President Donald Trump said he was in favor of H-1B, though he has taken a stern stance on illegal immigration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Republican leader Virgil Bierschwale questioned whether the 2026 H-1B figures reveal that the employers have already chosen the employees they will fire as no new jobs are being created. "This 2026 visa approval gets me. Over a year ahead of the current date, they already have approved visas. And they must have a job to have a visa. Which means the employer has already picked out the employee they plan on firing since they are not creating new jobs. How is this not fraud at every level?" Bierschwale wrote. "A huge chunk of H-1B petitions are for jobs that don't even exist. Indian IT body shops are notorious for hoarding H-1B workers, hoping to lease them out later. If there's no client, they get 'benched'—which is illegal. But exploiting desperate migrants is a business model too profitable to quit," X handle US Tech Workers wrote.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Americans are getting laid off': Viral post flags how H-1B beneficiaries sharing tips on getting sponsorship
US tech workers are opposing the H-1B selections for 2026. The announcement of the H-1b visa selections for 2026 has led to a major row among US tech workers as the USCIS revealed that the Trump administration has selected 120, 141 H-1B visa applications for 2026. This number is the lowest compared to the figures since 2021 but US tech workers demand that the Donald Trump administration should end H-1B visa programs. After Trump aide Laura Loomer and former aide Steve Bannon expressed their strong opposition to H-1B after the release of the fresh numbers, a post by X handle US tech workers has gone viral. The post shares screenshots of a Reddit conversation where an India-origin person is offering tips about moving to the USA. The Reddit user in conversation with other users revealed that he/she got sponsored directly from India. "I was working at an MNC there and applied to a few eols the US that were open to international candidates. Eventually landed one that was willing to sponsor my H1B ," the user said. — USTechWorkers (@USTechWorkers) Reacting to the conversation, a popular X handle, US Tech Workers posted: "Americans are getting laid off and struggling to find work. New grads can't catch a break. Meanwhile, foreign workers are being hired directly from overseas, sponsored for H-1B visas, and openly sharing tips on how to game the system," it said. The Reddit post that got the attention of US tech workers amid fresh H-1B row "We need to apply heavy tariffs to all visa workers," one user commented. "US politicians love India, it's given a preferred status because Washington hope india will contain China rise," another wrote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch Bitcoin và Ethereum - Không cần ví! IC Markets BẮT ĐẦU NGAY Undo "So many Franchise restaurants in Pittsburgh area are staffed with Indians only. Which visa are these people on? And they are all from Hyderabad, India," one comment said. Some people came in the defend of the Reddit user and said that the person must have worked hard, good work experience and it can't be called "hacking the system". What is the fresh H-1B row? H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire skilled workers from foreign countries. A major row started over it last year during Christmas as Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy spoke in favor of extending H-1B programs. MAGA supporters condemned it they said American workers are getting replaced and President Trump should stop it. The new row started with the release of the USCIS figures.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
H-1b hopeful shares how her career as a journalist was derailed by US, but found something in King's Landing
Iris Goldsztajn had everything going for her. As a student at UCLA, she landed four editorial internships in her chosen field. After graduating, she secured a position at her dream magazine, one she'd envisioned working for since she was 12 years old, per Business Insider. But there was one catch: she was working on a student visa. As a French-born, UK-raised citizen, Goldsztajn needed an H-1b visa to stay in the United States long-term. 'My company applied for an H-1b visa for me (a type of work visa that works on a lottery system for many organizations, often including those in the media), and I just didn't win,' she wrote in the Business Insider column. ALSO READ| Just one straight answer cost a Delhi student his US visa, Reddit speculates what went wrong Following the H-1b denial, she had to give up her job, her apartment in Los Angeles. 'I gave up my Los Angeles apartment, left the job I loved, and moved an ocean away from the many friends I'd made.' Goldsztajn initially stayed with family in France before landing a temp assistant role in London. Over the next eight years, she built a steady freelance career, but the transition was far from easy. 'I was essentially starting from square one,' she said. Though she reached out to contacts in London, she found the networking culture starkly different. 'British people just don't network the same way Americans do, and the market here is just smaller and more insular.' While some U.S.-based connections helped her find freelance full-time editorial roles remained elusive. 'It's much easier to move up once you already have your foot in the door at a company, which is something I gave up.' ALSO READ| Trump sanctions 120,000 H-1B visas amid tech crunch. What does it mean for Indian professionals? Goldsztajn now believes, 'Even though I have years of experience in the field, I feel as though I've been stagnant.' 'I still wonder where my career would be if I'd gotten my work visa all those years ago.' Yet through it all, 'Still, in true British fashion, I'm keeping calm and carrying on.'
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Just one straight answer cost a Delhi student his US visa, Reddit speculates what went wrong
For many Indian students, the dream of studying in the United States comes with years of preparation, exams, financial planning, and finally, a nerve-wracking visa interview. But for one young Indian applicant, all it took was a single answer to unravel that dream. The Delhi native claimed he had secured admission to the Master's in Finance program at the City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch. On paper, everything looked promising—an I‑20 form, a strong academic background, and financial backing through a $58.5k loan and $58.5k in savings. But when he walked into the US Embassy in New Delhi for his F-1 visa interview, things didn't go as planned. ALSO READ| One honest answer cost him his US visa, claims Indian, Reddit weighs in The applicant posted on Reddit narrating the experience, the visa officer asked standard questions—what university he was going to, why he chose it, and how he planned to finance his education. He responded that he found Baruch while 'searching for colleges which accept 3-year undergraduate degrees in US' and that he 'read a lot of good things about this college on platforms like LinkedIn.' That's it. Following those few minutes, the applicant was left with a denied visa. 'Can someone please help me know why my visa got rejected? I will be grateful if anyone can provide any insights. And is there any point in reapplying?' the Delhi guy asked. Now, some Redditors feel his 'why this university' answer lacked depth and showed no real personal connection to the program. 'Your answer doesn't show commitment. It feels as if you searched up the universities you were accepted into in 10 minutes and decided your future career,' one user commented. 'Never given an interview (upcoming) so don't know but, your why university answer was not it. It felt as if you first decided to go to the US and then started looking for universities. It should be the other way around.' Another commented, 'I thought the reason for his rejection was coz how he answered his finance question.' ALSO READ| Employer suddenly axed H-1b sponsorship THE DAY before the deadline, Redditor's ordeal goes viral While many empathised with the applicant, one pointed out gaps in his responses. He didn't elaborate his repayment plans for the loan. 'The question about finances - always start with your parent(s), savings and then loan. They know you have plans to work in the US to pay off the loans,' the Redditor said.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Indian H-1B holder with DUI history reenters US smoothly, while poor Prince Harry remains murky
You know, right, that as an immigrant, if you have a past DUI or drug use history while on a student or work visa in the US, your visa could be revoked? But that's not what happened with one Indian H-1b holder. The Indian professional with a DUI history has successfully reentered the States on a fresh H-1B visa, without a hitch. Suprisingly, Prince Harry is facing huge legal woes due to his admission of past extensive illegal drug use. The Duke wrote in his 2023 memoir that cocaine 'wasn't much fun, and it didn't make me particularly happy, as it seemed to make everyone around me, but it did make me feel different, and that was the main goal,' then added, 'Marijuana is different. That actually really did help me.' ALSO READ| One honest answer cost him his US visa, claims Indian, Reddit weighs in The Indian national, who had been working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa before being laid off in 2022, was selected again in the most recent H-1B lottery. Despite a DUI charge in '2021, 6 months license suspension and 6 months probati', he had no issue securing a visa and reentering the country through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. 'He was previously working here on H1B, but left due to layoff in 2022. Now he is back with a new employer. He had a DUI in 2021, 6 months license suspension and 6 months probation. He also had a reckless driving charge along with the DUI, which he had to pay a fine,' a user posted on Reddit. 'He was worried at the port of entry, but he wasn't questioned about the DUI. He was asked some basic details about the job and employer. I believe DHS is not targeting H1Bs, mainly F1s regarding traffic violations.' 'He is from India and he underwent the physical and psychological examination during stamping,' the Redditor further added. ALSO READ| Asian woman's dreams crushed after US denies entry to see boyfriend: 'Feels like my heart's been ripped out' has not independently verified the authenticity of this information. Notably, M9 News reported that an Indian student initially secured an H-1b, but a DWI 'charge resulted in the cancellation of their SEVIS record.'
