Unemployment rate does not justify H-1B program changes: NFAP
2 min read
Unemployment rates for computer occupations in the United States have stayed low through the Covid-19 pandemic. Causing professionals to question the reason behind changes to the H-1B program introduced a week ago.
The unemployment rate for people in computer occupations, which is the thing that over 60% H-1B visas are given for, changed from 3% in January (before the outbreak) to 3.5% in September. As per an analysis of the BLS(Bureau of Labor Statistics’) Current Population Survey by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).
Unemployment rates were comparative for computer and numerical occupations, essentially lower than the unemployment rate of 7.8% for non-computer occupations.
A week ago, US President Donald Trump’s government published two new interim final rules (IFRs). Raising the compensation levels for H-1B jobs and introducing fresh restrictions on individuals with be posted at third-party areas.
The information show stability in the unemployment rate in computer occupations. Also, negate Trump’s government announcements in proclamations and guidelines. That “great reason” exceptions to the rulemaking process and crisis actions are expected to impose new restrictions on H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign nationals because of high unemployment caused by Covid-19, said Stuart Anderson, chief director of NFAP.
Immigration has been a major survey plank for Donald Trump, who is looking for re-election in November 2020.
H-1B Program
The decision to actualize these changes without opening them up to public comments. Just like the case with the standard rule-making process, has been generally criticized and is being viewed as a political move ahead of the election.
The Department of Labor referred to the “great reason” exception to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). As unemployment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the NFAP found that there were more than 650,000 job openings postings promoted online in October. For jobs in the most well-known computer occupations that generally require at least a bachelor’s degree.
[FY 2022 Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) Registration Ends On 10th November 2020]
The DHS H-1B rule mentioned the unemployment rates in the information area and the professional and business services sector in its guideline.
It is not good to utilize the unemployment rate in the Information sector and the Professional and Business Services sector. To explain the ‘great reason’ exemption to the Administrative Procedure Act to confine the H-1B visas Program. As DHS does in its rule since just around 10% of the jobs (computer occupations with a B.S. or higher) in these sectors are in occupations like experts in the H-1B category. As indicated by the NFAP report.
The rule will affect both Indian IT services firms who regularly place workers at third-party areas. On projects just as American tech firms, by getting more limitations and significantly expanding wage levels.
