Donald Trump has been elected the next U.S. president. Many people - both in and out of the U.S. - are wondering how this will affect their chances of getting a green card, or a work visa. What do immigration lawyers think it is likely he will change?
MORE CLOSED BORDERS: It is likely he will use Executive Action to stop more broad categories of people entering the U.S., as he did during his first administration, with the so-called "Muslim Ban." He is likely to direct agencies controlling the borders to use strict interpretations of the laws to exclude higher numbers of people.
RAMPED UP DEPORTATIONS: He is likely to direct various agencies to try to make deportation proceedings quicker. It is likely he will try to undermine procedural protections put in place. He is likely to direct various agencies to take a harder line approach, for example looking to apprehend deportable persons in sensitive places, like schools, churches and hospitals, where now by policy they are not sought out.
SLOWING THE SYSTEM DOWN: It is likely he will look to reduce the number of federal employees working under certain agencies, which could result in longer processing times for USCIS to look at petitions and applications, and longer processing times for visa stamps and family-based green card applications abroad.
INCREASED WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS: It is likely agencies responsible for enforcement will be asked to step up surprise inspections of worksites of work visa holders.
CHANGING WORK VISA CATEGORIES: It is likely he will look to change or reduce certain categories of work visa, with the H-1B visa being often mentioned. This can only currently be done by changing the law, however, which the President cannot do unilaterally. He is likely to have enough support in Congress to be able to make some changes, however.
Many U.S. universities and immigration lawyers are recommending that non-citizens be physically in the U.S. before January 20th, 2025, in case Donald Trump should take drastic action the first day he is in office that might prevent non-citizens from returning to the country.
Many rights groups are already pre-emptively getting ready to challenge changes that overstep the President's authority, as soon as they are announced.
Dee AR Ltd. can help you keep abreast of the changes and strategize with you so that you can still achieve your U.S. immigration goals.
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