By: Jacqueline Valle
United States immigration policy and enforcement is expected to change significantly under the presidency of Joe Biden. President-elect Joe Biden plans to reverse immigration policies of the Trump presidency and modernize US immigration policies. For employment-based immigration in particular, the Biden administration will likely promote policy that adheres to market demand and benefits employers when the new presidency begins on January 20, 2021.
While the exact immigration policies of the Biden administration are still unknown, some proposed policies that are expected to have a positive impact on employers include:
President Trump has proposed restrictive changes to the H1-B program that included changing the definition of “specialty occupation,” significantly increasing the minimum prevailing wage for H-1B workers, and awarding H-1B visas based on wage levels. Biden will likely reverse some Trump-era policies related to H-1B visas.
Biden also plans to end the use of government funds to build the US-Mexico border wall. His administration pledges to divert that funding to investments in border patrol, screening technology, and infrastructural improvement. At the same time, the Biden administration will aim to improve cross-border collaborations with Mexico and Canada.
This policy would allow employers in these regions to bypass visa limitations and fill vacancies with additional foreign national workers when needed.
US immigration policy may undergo significant transformation under the Biden presidency. Our team will closely monitor changes to United States immigration policy and provide them as soon as they are available. For case-specific questions, contact your trusted Chugh, LLP attorney.
© 2024 Chugh LLP Affiliate Network. All Rights Reserved