Data released by the National Foundation for American Policy shows a startling impact on immigration by the Trump Administration. H-1B Denials and Requests for Evidence (RFEs) increased significantly from the 3rd quarter of FY 2017 to the 4th quarter, a result of the Buy American and Hire American executive order.
The Trump Administration’s restrictive “Buy American and Hire American” executive order was issued on April 18, 2017, shortly before the start of the 4th quarter of fiscal year 2017, which began on July 1. The impact of the order on the admission of highly skilled foreign workers immediately took hold, as evidenced by data from the National Foundation for American Policy.
The number of denials for H-1B petitions increased from a rate of 15.9% in the third quarter to 22.4% in the fourth quarter, a proportional increase of 41%. The percent of RFE’s issued in the fourth quarter was 69%, compared to 23% in the third quarter. Equally startling data includes the fact that USCIS adjudicators were more likely to issue denials and RFE’s to Indian applicants.
Attorneys from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers agree with the viewpoint of economists that foreign-born professionals greatly benefit America’s economy. An overwhelming percentage of full-time graduate students in electrical engineering and computer science at U.S. universities are international students. These students then stay in the U.S. to work through the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This program too has been targeted by the Administration, resulting in a decreased enrollment of 8% in 2017, compared to 34% in 2016. Who has been affected the most? Applicants from India and China.
