Increased Anxiety Among Highly Skilled, Professionals, and Field Workers
Trump Hints at Possible Military Deployment Immediately After Inauguration
As the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump is set for January next year, the U.S. business community and immigrants are on edge. This is because Trump, who implemented a tough anti-immigration policy during his first term, has indicated his intention to maintain the same stance in his second term. To minimize damage, companies and immigrants have begun seeking countermeasures.
Bloomberg News and the British magazine The Economist recently reported that, following the election of former President Trump, everyone from highly skilled workers to construction site laborers is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
During his first term, Trump signed an executive order to halt the issuance of work visas to foreign workers, aiming to expand job opportunities for Americans. As a result, highly skilled and professional foreign workers in the U.S. were unable to obtain work visas and had to return to their home countries, prompting backlash even from American companies. Although he stated during his 2016 presidential campaign that he would create pathways for legal immigration, the media has assessed that, in practice, his first administration effectively erected an "invisible wall."
In fact, The Economist reported that the rejection rates for major work visas such as the H1B visa for skilled professionals and the L1 visa for intra-company transferees have increased. Citing data from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the publication noted that from 2016 to 2019, the average waiting time after visa application increased by 46%. Additionally, applicants faced more burdensome procedures, including increased documentation and additional interviews.
The Economist described "immigrants from India and China as the most vulnerable." This is because the number of green cards issued to foreigners holding certain nationalities is limited, and the proportion of Indian and Chinese nationals who graduate from U.S. universities and live and work in the U.S. is particularly high.
These issues have occurred not only among highly skilled workers but also on-site in sectors such as construction and agriculture. Many U.S. companies suffer from labor shortages to the extent that worksites cannot operate without foreign workers. According to Bloomberg, citing the American Immigration Council (AIC), one in four construction workers in Texas?home to numerous construction sites including semiconductor factories?is an undocumented worker.
Bloomberg forecasted, "Reducing labor supply in construction could delay projects and increase costs, potentially worsening Texas's high rent and housing shortage problems." It also added that if labor shortages worsen in agriculture, which heavily depends on undocumented workers, voters who have suffered from rising prices may face increased grocery costs.
In response, some are exploring ways for immigrants to cope. The AIC is educating companies in Texas and advising workers to apply for citizenship now and renew work visas early. Chelsea Kramer, AIC's Texas representative, said, "We are focusing our efforts on minimizing damage." It is also known that some entrepreneurs are privately meeting local lawmakers to express their concerns.
Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has announced that he may declare a national emergency and deploy the military to carry out a large-scale deportation operation targeting undocumented immigrants immediately after his inauguration in January. He appointed Tom Homan, former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the "border czar" to oversee illegal immigration issues in his second term, and Stephen Miller, former senior White House advisor who designed deportation plans, as deputy chief of staff. Accordingly, Trump is expected to accelerate his campaign promises during his second term, including closing the southern border and conducting large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants.
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