Hindu Americans Relieved as Trump Reverses Course on H1B Visa Changes

Washington, DC (January 9, 2018) — Leaders of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) cautiously welcomed the news that the Trump Administration was backtracking from its proposal to deny extensions of H-1B visas to green card applicants awaiting approval. If implemented this policy change would have triggered the deportation of more than half a million Indian IT workers currently holding H-1B visas.


“We’re grateful for the swift response by Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Kevin Yoder (R-KS) in expressing to the Administration the detrimental impact the proposed changes would have on the American economy and credibility, US-India relations, and families of skilled workers,” said Suhag Shukla, Esq., HAF Executive Director and Legal Counsel. “That the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has clarified that it will not be considering any regulatory changes or their interpretation of current law that would force H-1B workers to leave the US is a welcome relief for hundreds of thousands in our community.”


Numerous industry and community groups across the country sounded alarms at the hint of the proposal, citing potential negative effects for the US economy. HAF began immediately advocating to members of Congress to ensure they voiced concern with the Administration.
The proposal would have directly impacted over a quarter of the Indian and Hindu American population in the United States.


“The results would’ve been devastating,” Shukla noted. “Devastating to these law abiding, tax paying workers and their families who have made America their home. Devastating to the local and state economies where they work. And devastating for America by causing an unprecedented brain drain of skilled workers and potential entrepreneurs.”