Discouraging time for those seeking work visas

The Trump administration has thrown up bureaucratic obstacles and policy changes that, for many immigrants seeking work in the U.S., add up to a discouraging picture.

Jan. 27: President Trump, above, signs first travel ban, affecting visa issuance for foreigners from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Feb. 28: Trump calls for a “merit-based” immigration system in his first address to Congress. Trump praised countries like Australia and Canada, which give preference to immigrants who are likely to contribute to the economy over family members of naturalized citizens.

March 3: USCIS suspends premium processing for H-1B visas, impacting foreigners ability to pay a fee to get an expedited visa.

March 31: Computer programmers are no longer automatically eligible for H-1Bs, a rescinding of a 17-year-old policy.

April 3: Immigration agency says it will take a more “targeted approach” in choosing the employers whose workers receive H-1B visas. USCIS also said it will continue “random and unannounced” visits around the country to H-1B dependent companies.

April 17: H-1B visa applications decrease for the first time in years. The USCIS said it received 199,000 H-1B applications for fiscal year 2018, compared with 236,000 in fiscal year 2017 and 233,000 in fiscal year 2016.

April 18: Trump signs “Buy American, Hire American” executive order, which said H-1Bs should be awarded to the “most-skilled or highest-paid” foreigners.

Aug. 2: Trump backs Raise Act, which looks to slash the number of immigrants who can legally enter the U.S.

Aug. 30: The Chronicle reports on the unprecedented number of requests for evidence being issued on H-1B applications, a bureaucratic step which can slow things down and potentially jeopardize an immigrant’s hire.

Sept. 19: Premium processing for H-1B visas requested by for-profit companies is reinstated, which can alleviate concerns for those who received requests for evidence.

Sept. 27: A case looking to end work authorization for H-4 visa holders, the spouses of H-1B workers, is delayed for the third time.

Oct. 23: USCIS issues a memo saying that H-1B holders looking to extend their visas will be scrutinized as if they are new applications. This will have tremendous implications on H-1B holders who have already been in the country for years.