Washington, D.C.: In response to anticipated changes in U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump, major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have advised their H-1B visa-holding employees to refrain from international travel.
Key Facts
- Stricter visa regulations may impede re-entry into the United States, potentially disrupting employment and residency status.
- The H-1B visa program issues 65,000 visas annually through a lottery system, with Indians receiving the majority.
- Brown University advised international students and staff to avoid travel after a professor's deportation in March 2025.
The Trump administration has signaled intentions to tighten immigration controls, particularly affecting the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.
In January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security introduced measures requiring employers to provide additional evidence of control over foreign employees to prevent misuse of the program.
These developments have led tech giants to caution their H-1B employees against leaving the country.
An Amazon employee expressed concerns about potential changes to birthright citizenship laws, fearing future generations might be left stateless.
Similarly, Brown University advised its international community to avoid travel after the deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a professor on an H-1B visa, upon her return from Lebanon.
"What we're seeing right now is just a lot of worry and panic... It seems like [the administration is] just getting more and more momentum, and we don't know what's around the corner," said Malcolm Goeschl, principal attorney for Goeschl Law, highlighting the prevailing anxiety within the immigrant tech community.
The tech industry heavily relies on skilled foreign workers, with companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple among the top employers of H-1B recipients.
Any policy changes restricting these visas could significantly impact their operations and the broader U.S. economy.
Here’s how some of the biggest employers of H-1B workers are being affected:
- Amazon: Sponsored 9,265 H-1B visas in 2024, down from over 11,000 in 2023.
- Infosys: Secured 8,140 approvals in 2024, a decrease from previous years.
- Google: Obtained 5,364 H-1B visas in 2024, reflecting a slight reduction.
Historically, the H-1B visa program has been a pathway for skilled professionals, particularly from India, to contribute to the U.S. tech industry.
However, increased scrutiny and policy shifts have led to heightened uncertainty among visa holders and employers alike.
Musk stated, "The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over 'native' Americans isn't because of an innate American IQ deficit... A key part of it comes down to the c-word - culture."
As U.S. immigration policies continue to evolve, professionals seeking H-1B visas should stay informed about potential changes and consider alternative pathways, such as employment-based green cards or opportunities in countries with more favorable immigration policies.
Do You Know?
Despite the overall decline, Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook) increased its H-1B visa sponsorships by approximately 400 in 2024, aligning with its investments in virtual and augmented reality technologies. (Source: VisaVerge)
Key Terms:
H-1B Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher.
STEM Fields: An acronym referring to the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Immigration Policy: A government's approach to managing the flow of people into the country, including the issuance of visas and the establishment of residency and citizenship criteria.
Tech Giants: Large, influential technology companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Apple.