Jobs for Foreigners in the USA: H-1B Visa Program Under Threat.

In the 2024 fiscal year, nearly 97% of applications for H-1B work visas have been approved. It is anticipated that this trend may change under Donald Trump's second presidency.

The H-1B program was established in 1990 to allow American employers to hire foreign talent in fields such as high technology, engineering, and healthcare. Each year, 85,000 visas are issued by lottery, with over 70% going to Indian workers. This program is also popular among citizens of China.

The H-1B program has its supporters and critics. Supporters believe that this program allows the USA to attract the best foreign talent and fill important job positions. However, critics argue that it harms American workers.

During Trump's first presidency, the percentage of H-1B visa denials rose to 24%. The administration tightened the visa application process, shortening the validity to one year and implementing stricter checks. Nevertheless, companies still found ways to complicate the hiring process for foreign specialists.

The organization FAIR, which is one of the critics of the program, claims that companies misuse H-1B to hire cheap labor that drives down wages for Americans. But supporters point out that 25% of the founders of American 'unicorn' companies were initially foreign students.

Trump's plans for the H-1B program remain ambiguous. On one hand, his team speaks of introducing strict immigration restrictions. On the other hand, Trump proposes to simplify the process of obtaining green cards for graduates of American universities. Another factor that may influence the situation is Elon Musk's support for the H-1B program, as he actively uses visas to hire foreign specialists for his company Tesla.