US-based anti-immigration group asks trump to suspend H-1B program because of rising unemployment rates amid corona virus outbreak. 1 out of 5 people in the US have currently been laid off and that positions visa holders as the last priority on the list of receiving employment. According to an industry source, it is estimated that about 20-30% of H-1B and H-4 visa holders may be forced to go back to their countries in the next 5-7months. If a job contract is terminated, normally there is a grace period of 60 days to find a new job. However, with current travel-ban impositions and temporary closure of USCIS and embassies, it becomes extremely difficult to find a new job. On the other hand, recent graduates on F-1 visas are also facing a similar situation wherein their OPTs are on the verge to expire and there is very little to no scope of its renewal due to the current crisis in US job market. If worse comes to worst and visa applications are continually denied, international job seek

Author-Shristi Chatterjee