Indian Aspirations On The Line: How U.S. Election Results Could Redirect Skilled Workers

For thousands of Indian students, tech professionals, and their families who plan to move to the United States or are already settled, the United States presidential election will bring a decisive milestone. The visa policies will be entirely different from each other and will make a huge difference in their access to higher education, work opportunities, and green card processes under Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.

Decisions by the next administration would further forge the United States as the first choice for Indian talent and make it a competitive destination against Canada as well for high-skilled professionals. With Harris at the helm, the policies with regard to the issuance of visas will probably become easier to follow and more predictable with her probable administration that takes an approach to inclusiveness and strengthens the relationship with India.

She has previously spoken about fair and humane immigration and respect for the contributions that immigrants make to the U.S. economy, which would include students and skilled Indians who currently significantly contribute to sectors such as tech and healthcare through streamlined processes for F-1, H-1B and green card visas. Her administration is free to introduce fresh immigration policies that will increase the supply of H-1B visas and accelerate the green card process for these bright minds, especially those entering the fields that the United States needs most.

Trump's first term immigration story is a far cry from this. During his administration, Trump introduced harsh visa regulations, which made less H-1B visas available and made it very difficult for international students through the Optional Practical Training Program in specific fields to continue practising or stay in the country legally. The focus was on "America First," meant to preserve jobs for U.S. citizens by tightening the pathways for foreign workers. Recently, a senior Trump aide, speaking to an interviewer: "A second Trump term would entrench an immigration system that serves the national interest by reducing dependence on foreign workers." Such policies might make it more challenging for Indian students to find work permits after their education is completed, and it may deter many from preferring the United States as the destination for their studies. Indian students today make up about 20

percent of the international student population in the United States.They are necessary for American universities, which heavily rely on international tuition dollars to fill their coffers. Sharper visa restrictions may be enough to send their enrollments plummeting by a high percentage, forcing universities perhaps to increase domestic student tuition fees. Indian students are playing a significant role in the country's stem programs and research laboratories throughout the United States. Blocking entry to American colleges can cause these geniuses to head straight into the educational systems of Europe and Canada instead. These might become more student-friendly if such concerns are considered with Harris.

For instance, providing more STEM OPT extensions or relaxing the financial requirements of student visa applications would definitely attract more students from India. However, while ease in immigration processes under Harris would be more like a 'Canada open-door' policy for skilled talent, it still has issues with backlogs in processing and wait times for Indian applicants. Such has been the case with the Express Entry system of Canada, popular for the efficiency of quick processing with a transparent points-based system. Harris may look for some form of adaptation from this model if elected. NRIs currently residing in the U.S. are likely to face varied results based on the election outcome.

Trump's policies have been overall more restrictive. It has made it tougher to renew the workplace visas, while there are fewer choices available for dependents. As per the data, 375,000 visa holders suffered at the hands of Trump's immigration restrictions, among whom were many Indian families whose future in the US became uncertain. Many NRIs, especially those who held H-4 visas, are worried about not being able to hold their jobs for long and their inability to stay in the country for a long period of time. Quite a number of people believe that a continuation of Trump's policies will make securing green cards and permanent residency even more lengthy.

This one would typically be endorsed to speed up green card processing so H4 visa holders and others who are caught in visa limericks, are let loose to work toward enhancing U.S. Quality of life for NRI families better. Ajay Bhutoria, also a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, noted "benefiting families-but also strengthen the competitiveness of the United States workforce to tackle all these visa backlog issues and support skilled foreign workers.".

Whether the U.S. is going to be a tough competitor for Canada in the future will depend upon it reforming its visa processing. Canada has gained favour as a destination for Indians students and workers largely on account of its efficient, reliable visa system. When Harris becomes the president, this time promising immigration reform, the U.S. is likely to become an acceptable alternative. The key, however, will be to assure that processing times and transparency in the system improve. For now, Canada tops the list of Indians seeking study and work opportunities abroad. Ultimately, it will be the U.S. election that brings in a change in visa policies directly affecting Indian students, tech professionals, and NRIs. A Harris victory will mean smoother pathways for students and skilled workers, challenging Canada's current allure at this point. Another term of Trump would likely mean more restrictions, pushing even more Indian talent toward Canada's open-armed approach.