Administration of Trump introduces more stringent regulations for legal immigration

The Trump administration has been implementing changes to US immigration policies, affecting a wide range of individuals, including H-1B workers, international students, Green Card holders, and foreign students on F-1 visas, employees on H-1B specialist occupation visas, and L-1 visas for intracompany transfers.

Starting September 2, these individuals are required to appear in person for interviews at consulates. The US interview waiver policy, known as 'Dropbox', has been discontinued for the majority of US travelers.

One of the key changes is the tightening of rules on foreign workers and students pursuing valid work permits, such as H-1B visas. A new wage-based selection process for H-1B visas has been proposed and is likely to be implemented soon. The new system will choose H-1B candidates based on their earnings; the higher the compensation paid by the US firm, the better the chances of obtaining an H-1B visa.

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to stay in the US for up to three years after graduation and work in US companies, is under threat. The administration is considering ending the OPT program or amending regulations to change the admission period from 'duration of status' to a 'fixed time period'.

US student visa denials reached a ten-year high in the past fiscal year, with 41% of applications denied, nearly double the 2014 rejection rate. All students applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa have been asked to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public.

Spouses of US citizens and green card holders are now facing tougher scrutiny during green card interviews. The US government is actively working to strip some Americans of their citizenship. The US Department of Justice has asked enforcement authorities to prioritize the revocation of US citizenship and denaturalization of green card holders who have become American citizens in certain cases.

In addition, the US has introduced two new visa fees, the Visa Integrity Fee and the fee for Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, which could be enforced soon. The US has also increased the cost of visas to limit inflows and reduce trip overstays.

It is important to note that US green card holders enjoy legal rights to live, stay, and work in America as lawful permanent residents. However, under-reporting income on a tax return is one such instance that could result in being declared a non-US citizen.

The Trump administration is reducing legal immigration into the US, and these changes are part of a broader effort to tighten immigration rules and prioritize certain categories of applicants. The full extent of these changes and their impact on individuals and businesses remains to be seen.