[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Coronavirus-related job losses in the U.S. have been severe. Millions of people have been let go, furloughed, or laid off in just a couple of months. Foreign workers on non-immigrant visas, including the popular H-1B visa, have not been spared. After losing a job, Americans have the ability to collect unemployment benefits and search for any new position at a pace that suits them. Foreign workers on temporary visas do not have that luxury. H-1B visa holders, for example, must find a comparable position to the one they lost within 60 days or leave the country, all without the safety net of unemployment benefits. The U.S. government is not expected to offer a reprieve to affected individuals.
Further limitations on non-immigrant work visas are expected in the near future, including the potential elimination of work eligibility after foreign students graduate from U.S. colleges and universities. The elimination of the Optional Practical Training program could force hundreds of thousands of American-educated college graduates to return to their home countries. Some republican senators have called for the suspension of all guest worker visas in light of the unemployment situation in the country. Many economists predict a very slow economic and jobs recovery.
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If you are a foreign national working in the U.S. on a temporary visa, have lost a job, and wish to remain in the country legally, it's imperative to speak with an immigration attorney right away to explore possible options. We do not know what the future may hold for immigration laws over the next few months; it is important to be prepared for possible negative outcomes. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth can help you find potential avenues to remain in the United States legally. Call us at 888-517-9888 today to speak with an immigration expert. All initial consultations are free.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
