US-INDIA GLOBAL REVIEW JUL-SEP 2020

16 US-INDIA GLOBAL REVIEW JULY-SEPTEMBER 2020 NEW YORK P resident Trump’s deci- sion to suspend many of the legal work visas that bring in hundreds of thousands of new immigrants to the shores of the United States every year, through the end of 2020, has drawn criti- cism from industry lobbyists. However, it’s a decision that in a coronavirus pandemic-embattled world, seems not just politically motivated to draw voters, but a necessary and reasonable one, to help American workers back on their feet, and reduce unemploy- ment numbers. The restrictions, including on H- 1B visa, H-4, and L category visas that are dominated by workers and their families from India, will prevent new foreign workers from filling 525,000 jobs, according to the administration's estimates. "American workers compete against foreign nationals for jobs in every sector of our economy, including against millions of aliens who enter the United States to perform temporary work," the proclamation, signed by Trump as an Executive Order, stated. "Under ordinary circumstances, properly administered temporary worker programs can provide ben- efits to the economy. But under the extraordinary circumstances of the economic contraction resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, cer- tain nonimmigrant visa programs authorizing such employment pose an unusual threat to the employment of American work- ers." There are caveats in the restric- tions, though. The freeze on ‘cultural exchange’ J visas will include exemptions for applicants whose entry is considered to be in the US national interest, a loophole potentially available to the roughly Trump’s visa ban is not just politically motivated. It’s sensible too for America, for now By Sujeet Rajan IMMIGRATION TheWhite House is pictured shortly after sunrise inWashington, August 1, 2007. Photo: REUTERS/Jason Reed