Apple and Google Urge Visa Holders to Stay in the U.S. During Trump’s Immigration Crackdown | TNNEWS

Tech Giants Advise Visa Holders to Limit Travel Amidst Delays

Amid ongoing delays at U.S. consulates and embassies, Google and Apple are advising employees on H-1B visas to remain in the United States to avoid potential complications when returning. This guidance comes as the U.S. government intensifies its scrutiny of visa applicants.

Extended Delays and New Screening Measures

Recent changes by the Department of Homeland Security now require travelers to undergo a review of up to five years of their social media history. This has led to significant delays in visa processing, with some appointments postponed for months. Privacy advocates have criticized these measures as invasive.

Impact on Tech Companies

Apple and Google, employing over 300,000 people combined, depend heavily on skilled foreign workers. The increased vetting process has prompted these companies to advise their staff to avoid international travel if possible.

Berry Appleman & Leiden, a law firm associated with Google, advised employees, “We recommend avoiding international travel at this time as you risk an extended stay outside of the U.S.”

Similarly, Fragomen, working with Apple, stated, “Given the recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable, extended delays when returning to the U.S., we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for now.”

Broader Implications of Immigration Policies

This situation highlights the broader impact of the U.S. administration’s immigration policies on the foreign workforce. Earlier this year, a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas was introduced, affecting tech companies that rely on international talent.

H-1B visas, typically valid for three years, require renewal at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. However, recent policy changes have led to extended delays, leaving many visa holders stranded.

Union Advocacy and Worker Protections

The Alphabet Workers’ Union at Google is advocating for stronger protections for H-1B visa holders. These workers face heightened vulnerability, especially if layoffs occur, as losing employer sponsorship could affect their legal status.

Parul Koul, a Google software engineer and union leader, emphasized the urgency of supporting H-1B holders, stating, “The need to support H-1B holders at Google has only become more urgent with all the scrutiny and heightened vetting by the administration.”