Monday, February 17th, 2025

I was cheated, taking back job offers… H-1B visa controversy impacts jobs, companies reduce sponsorship

Hyderabad : Indian professionals are facing problems due to the ongoing debate on H1B visa reforms in America. President-elect Donald Trump’s administration is expected to implement stricter immigration policies. Because of this, some professionals are facing withdrawal of job offers, visa delays and warnings of possible layoffs.

Suddenly withdrawing job offers

Our associate newspaper Times of India spoke to eight professionals in the US and Hyderabad. At least three of them had their job offers suddenly canceled due to ‘visa-related concerns’. Hyderabad-based software engineer Vaishnavi Puvvada is one such professional. Recently hired by an American tech giant, she is eagerly preparing to move to San Francisco when suddenly her job offer is revoked.

I was played…

Vaishnavi, 28, said that I was offered a job in December 2024 and since I had written confirmation, I resigned from my current job and started preparing for my move. Now, I am unemployed and I don’t know what will happen next.” The company cited ‘changing visa dynamics’ as the reason for withdrawing the offer.

Vaishnavi said, I feel that I have been cheated. Why offer a role when you are not sure about visa sponsoring? Later he/she said that when the entire discussion is resolved and there is a concrete decision after Donald Trump takes office, he/she will issue me the offer letter again. But how long can I wait?

Indians got 72% visas

According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, more than 72% of the 380,000 H1B visas issued in 2023 went to Indians. Most of them work in STEM fields like data science, AI, machine learning and cybersecurity. These professionals earn an average salary of $118,000 (about Rs 1.01 crore) annually.

Challenge for Indian professionals in America

However, the environment for Indian professionals in the US is becoming challenging as the Trump administration is expected to reform the H1B program by increasing salary caps and costs for employers. Its purpose is to give priority to American workers. There is also a strong reaction from the MAGA movement. It has often targeted H1B visas. Claiming that it reduces American jobs and wages.

The fear of unemployment is affecting those who are waiting for visa renewal. Sania Haji, a cyber security consultant in Los Angeles, is facing delays in her H1B visa sponsorship.

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