Washington: Indian professionals and other foreign workers in the United States could face major changes if the Trump administration moves ahead with a proposal to scrap the existing 60-day grace period for certain work visa holders.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed ending the grace period that currently allows eligible foreign workers to remain in the country for up to 60 days after losing or leaving their jobs. The proposal affects several visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B1 and TN visas, as well as their dependents.
Since 2017, the grace period has given workers time to search for another job, change their immigration status or prepare to leave the US. It has also allowed families to manage practical matters such as selling property, arranging travel and moving children out of schools.
Under the proposed rule, workers could be required to leave the US immediately after they stop maintaining the employment or activity on which their non-immigrant status is based, unless they have another legal basis to remain in the country.
The DHS said the change would restore a more direct connection between a foreign worker's immigration status and the employment or activity that allowed them to stay in the US. The department also said the move could reduce administrative burdens.
However, immigration experts have warned that the proposal could create significant difficulties for foreign workers and their families. Workers who suddenly lose their jobs could have little time to find another employer willing to sponsor them or make arrangements to return to their home countries.
Indian professionals are likely to be among those significantly affected because India has traditionally accounted for a large share of H-1B workers. Major technology companies and consulting firms, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCLTech, Deloitte, PwC and EY, are among prominent H-1B sponsors.
The proposal comes amid a wider tightening of the US legal immigration system under President Donald Trump. The administration has also proposed significant changes to H-1B visa fees and other immigration rules.
The latest proposal will first undergo a public comment process. The US government will then decide whether to finalise the rule.
If implemented, the change could put additional pressure on foreign professionals who lose their jobs, while also creating challenges for American companies that depend heavily on skilled international workers.
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