The Trump administration has been scouting for endorsements to back up its claim that immigrant holders of the temporary H-1B specialty occupation visa are harmful to the American economy. A central argument underpinning restrictions stresses that H-1B visa holders coming from abroad directly threaten job availability for similarly qualified native-born workers.
It can forget about back-up support from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to public policy research on trade, immigration, and other issues of national importance. The NFAP recently released study findings spotlighting current H-1B restrictions that are starkly at odds with anything the White House wants to hear. In fact, NFAP conclusions, noting in its policy brief released last month:
On the contrary, the evidence points to the presence of H-1B visa holders being associated with lower unemployment rates and faster earnings growth among college graduates, including recent college graduates. Further, the results suggest that, if anything, being in a field with more H-1B visa holders makes it more likely that U.S.-born young college graduates work in a job closely related to their college major.
The NFAP’s policy brief points to empirical evidence that shows spiked employment and linked opportunities in occupational realms where the H-1B commonly features (e.g., engineering firms and scientific enterprises).
This spotlights lower than average – not higher – unemployment rates in work spheres that employ H-1B visa holders. Moreover, evidence points to quicker earnings growth for American college graduates in those sectors.
The bottom line concerning the currently hyped H-1B concerns is that it is much ado about nothing.
H-1B nonimmigrant workers and potential H-1B nonimmigrant workers alike are facing the current immigration landscape may reasonably have many questions and concerns. Speak to one of our immigration attorneys to plan your immigration. Mr. Robert Gaffney is a Certified Specialist in Immigration & Nationality Law. Most immigration attorneys do not have this certification, which is conferred by the State Bar. For information about what this means, see: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Legal-Specialization (“The State Bar certifies attorneys as specialists who have gone beyond the standard licensing requirements”).
This information is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between Law Offices of Robert P. Gaffney and anyone else. This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice based on an individual or organization’s particular facts and circumstances, and it should not be considered as such.
