The door is back open for immigrants seeking U.S. work visas
In 2020, the U.S. federal government either deeply restricted or outright halted many avenues to immigrants seeking to either come to the United States to work or remain here through the “green card” program.
The measure was seen as a necessary action, in part, to protect the labor market for people born in this country. Temporary work visas for skilled workers, au pairs, managers and others were all stopped.
Pending changes could give immigrant workers new hope
That federal mandate was not renewed by the current presidential administration. A freeze was revoked that now allows thousands of foreign workers who had been anxiously waiting their turn to apply for a work visa a chance to do so immediately.
Another freeze that was put in place by the old administration wasn’t directly lifted, but it expires on Mar. 31, 2021, anyhow. The current federal administration has shown no indication that they will choose to extend it — and every indication that they will not.
In the view of the current administration, the visa bans and freezes were not only unnecessary but actually harmful on a human level to many and various U.S. industries that often rely on foreign workers to fill the gaps in their workforces.
For anybody seeking an H-1B, H-2B, H-4, L-1 or J category work visa, this is big news, indeed.
Speak with an immigration attorney here in Birmingham if you’re ready to proceed with your work-based visa request. The immigration process for workers can be complicated even under normal circumstances, but the constant fluctuations in both national policies and laws right now make it exceptionally challenging.