US Proposes Immediate Departure for Skilled Workers After Job Loss
The United States government has announced a major change for skilled foreign workers. A new proposal would force many temporary visa holders to leave the country. They must leave right after losing their jobs. This change removes a 60-day period. This period currently allows them to find new employment.
The US Department of Homeland Security introduced this plan. It affects people with H-1B and other temporary work visas. Currently, these workers have two months to find a new sponsor. If the rule passes, they would have to leave immediately when their job ends.
This new rule is part of broader actions by US President Donald Trump’s administration. Since January 2025, his government has aimed to limit legal immigration. Other steps include higher fees for skilled worker visas. It also recently paused some immigrant visa appointments worldwide.
The Department of Homeland Security believes American workers could take these jobs. Companies might face some disruption. However, the department suggests companies could hire US workers instead. They might also petition again for immigrant workers who leave the country.
The existing 60-day grace period started in 2017. It gives foreign workers time to find another job in the US. It also allows them to manage personal matters before leaving. This includes selling a home or taking children out of school.
Gabriel Chin is a law professor at UC Davis. He said many H-1B workers have lived in the US for years. They have built lives with their families. Professor Chin sees no good reason to make them leave just because they change jobs.
H-1B visas are very important for technology companies. These companies hire talented individuals from countries like India and China. They use these visas to fill jobs where American workers are sometimes scarce. Leading companies like Deloitte and Infosys sponsor many H-1B workers.
Immigration lawyers have also commented on the proposal. Lawyers at Berardi Immigration Law said it would make managing layoffs much harder. It would give human resources teams less time for foreign employees.
Todd Schulte leads FWD.us, an immigration group. He said the administration seems to make life harder for immigrants every week. This also affects the companies and communities that depend on them.
The proposed rule also applies to many other visa types. These include E-1 traders, L-1 managers, and O-1 extraordinary ability visas. It will also affect H-1B1 and E-3 visa holders from Singapore, Chile, and Australia. The public can comment on this rule for two months. After this, it could become final.
