Green Card & H- 1 B Visa

Why in the News 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the H-1B visa program, calling it misleading and questioning its advantages for U.S. workers.

• U.S. President Donald Trump earlier backed changes in the H-1B visa and green card system to prioritise “merit-based” immigration.
• Debate continues in the U.S. about whether H-1B visas truly bring in the “best and brightest” or displace local workers.

Key Points about Green Card & H-1B Visa:

• A U.S. non-immigrant visa permits employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized roles such as IT, engineering, and healthcare.
• Majority of H-1B holders come from India.
• Criticised for allegedly displacing U.S. workers and benefiting outsourcing companies.
• DeSantis argued the U.S. should focus on employing its own citizens instead of importing foreign labour.

• A U.S. permanent residency status that enables foreign nationals to reside and work in the country indefinitely.
• Trump had announced that the U.S. would adopt a merit-based immigration system, prioritizing skills, education, and job opportunities over the current family-based and lottery-based system.
• Lutnick (CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald) stated that 250,000 people are waiting in line, generating $1.25 trillion in value for the U.S. economy.

About Green Card:

• Definition:: Officially called the Permanent Resident Card; it allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the U.S.
• Eligibility:: Usually granted through family sponsorship, employment, refugee/asylee status, or diversity lottery.
• Significance:: Provides a path to U.S. citizenship after a few years of residence.
• Recent Debate:: U.S. leaders (e.g., Donald Trump) proposed a merit-based system giving preference to highly skilled workers over family-based immigration.

 About H-1B Visa:

• Definition:: A temporary visa that enables U.S. companies to employ foreign professionals in specialized fields like IT, engineering, and healthcare.
• Duration:: Initially awarded for 3 years, with the possibility of extension up to 6 years.
• Quota:: The U.S. issues about 85,000 H-1B visas annually, with the majority going to Indian IT professionals.
• Criticism:: Allegations that it displaces U.S. workers, benefits outsourcing companies, and is exploited by certain industries.

Support:: Considered vital for addressing skill shortages in U.S. technology and innovation sectors.