Key Takeaways
- Trump’s promises on skilled immigration remained unfulfilled: Despite his campaign pledges to support U.S.-educated foreign graduates, Trump’s first term saw tighter restrictions on H-1B visas.
- Increased restrictions on H-1B visas: Under Trump, policies added costs, longer wait times, and higher rejection rates for skilled professionals applying for H-1B visas.
- Economic implications for the U.S.: Experts warn that such limitations could hinder U.S. innovation, affecting productivity and wages for native workers in the tech sector.
In a recent appearance, Donald Trump declared that every foreign-born graduate from U.S. colleges would receive a green card, a statement welcomed by the tech sector, especially under the influence of prominent Silicon Valley figures like J.D. Vance and Elon Musk. Yet, his first term tells a different story, one of restrictions rather than expansion.
Consider the H-1B visa program—a vital pathway for bringing high-skilled professionals to the U.S. During Trump’s tenure, the program faced substantial tightening. Fees increased, and so did rejection rates. In 2015, only 6% of H-1B applications were denied; by 2018, that figure soared to 24%. The costs of application rose as well, making the visa harder to secure and more expensive.
The impact extended to families of these skilled workers. Spouses of H-1B holders (under H-4 visas) faced prolonged waits, sometimes up to two years, complicating family life. Trump also eliminated a provision allowing H-1B visa holders to renew without undergoing the rigorous interview and paperwork process—later reinstated by President Joe Biden.
The concern around Trump’s approach to skilled immigration is not unwarranted. Research underscores the benefits that high-skilled immigrants bring, particularly in tech and innovation-driven industries, improving productivity and even wages for local workers. But if a new Trump administration doubles down on these restrictions, it risks stifling a crucial segment of the U.S. economy.
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