Leading technology companies, including Microsoft, Google and Amazon, have issued warnings to their H-1B visa staff amid mounting uncertainty over new immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Indian tech professionals, who make up the majority of H-1B visa holders, are particularly affected by the evolving situation.
The H-1B programme, which grants approximately 65,000 visas annually through a lottery system, is a cornerstone of the US technology sector, heavily reliant on foreign talent.
Indians receive the largest share of these visas, followed by Chinese and Canadian nationals.
Major employers such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Apple have reportedly advised employees against leaving the US due to concerns they may not be permitted to return.
According to the Washington Post, some H-1B holders have already cancelled planned trips to India, fearing denial of re-entry.
One Indian employee expressed concerns over the Trump administration’s stance on birthright citizenship, worried that any future children could be rendered stateless if US laws were amended.
Reports suggest heightened scrutiny of H-1B workers, with some employees stating they are now required to carry identification documents at all times in public spaces.
In response, Silicon Valley firms are expediting visa extension processing at their own expense to counter bureaucratic delays.
Although Trump has recently voiced support for the H-1B programme, Indian professionals remain apprehensive about his broader immigration policies, which continue to fuel uncertainty in the sector.
