Biden Administration to Resume Employment and Immigration Visa Processing Starting Next Week

'Green Card' Blocked by Trump Administration
Expired on the 31st of Last Month
State Department to Resume Processing Starting This Thursday

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] The Joe Biden administration is set to resume the issuance of work visas that were halted under the Trump administration.

According to major foreign media on the 1st (local time), the U.S. Department of State announced that it will restart processing applications for the previously suspended visas starting this Thursday.

Previously, former President Trump had restricted applications for work-related visas and the entry of visa holders into the United States, citing the spread of COVID-19. As a result, last year, overseas recipients of H-1B visas and holders of H-4 visas along with their families faced restrictions on entering the U.S.

In particular, the H-1B visa, known as a "specialty occupation visa," applies especially to IT company engineers, prompting sensitive reactions from major Silicon Valley IT companies including Google.

Additionally, holders of exchange visitor J visas and unskilled seasonal work visas (H-2B) also faced difficulties entering the United States.

The measure signed by the Trump administration expired on the 31st, automatically nullifying its effect.

Initially, President Biden was expected to repeal this through an executive order in February, but it is reported that he chose to let it expire automatically due to the short remaining validity period.

Meanwhile, according to the Migration Policy Institute, approximately 220,000 immigrants were banned from entering the United States due to this Trump administration measure.