If Kamala Harris were to become President in 2025, the landscape for legal immigrants and international students might differ significantly from what would be expected under a Trump administration.
Harris, who has consistently advocated for more inclusive immigration policies, would likely implement reforms aimed at expanding opportunities for immigrants and international students.
The process for obtaining work visas, green cards, and citizenship might be streamlined and made more accessible, with an emphasis on family reunification, support for skilled workers, and protection of immigrant rights.
International students would likely find a more welcoming environment, with policies aimed at making the U.S. an attractive destination for higher education and post-graduate opportunities.
H-1B Visa Program:
Harris would likely maintain and potentially expand the H-1B visa program, focusing on making the process more transparent and fair.
She may advocate for increasing the number of visas available and ensuring that the selection process is equitable.
There could be efforts to streamline the application process and reduce the backlog of applications, making it easier for skilled workers to obtain work visas.
L-1 Visas (Intracompany Transfers):
The L-1 visa program might see improvements in processing times and reduced bureaucratic hurdles, with a focus on facilitating the movement of international talent within global companies.
Harris might also support policies that protect L-1 visa holders from potential exploitation by ensuring fair wages and working conditions.
Family Reunification:
Harris is likely to prioritize family reunification as a cornerstone of her immigration policy.
She might work to expand the categories of family members eligible for sponsorship and reduce the waiting times for family-based green cards.
This could include reversing any previous restrictions and ensuring that families can reunite more quickly and easily.
Harris could advocate for increasing the number of employment-based green cards available each year and eliminating country-specific caps, which currently limit the number of green cards that can be issued to individuals from any single country.
This would likely benefit immigrants from high-demand countries like India and China.
Additionally, she might support policies that allow for a faster pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers.
STEM Fields and H-1B Transitions:
Harris may place a particular emphasis on encouraging international students in STEM fields, recognizing their contributions to innovation and the economy.
Policies could include additional incentives or protections for these students to remain in the U.S. after graduation, potentially easing their transition to work visas or green cards.
Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/kamala-harris-as-president-would-make-it-easier-for-you-to-move-to-the-us/articleshow/113214974.cms
