Trump administration proposes waiving grace period for H-1B holders after job loss

The Trump administration has proposed removing a 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders who lose their jobs, according to a government notice published in the Federal Register. Under the proposed rule change, these immigrants would need to leave the United States immediately upon job loss. This move, which is part of President Donald Trump's efforts to limit legal migration, could disrupt top American tech companies that heavily rely on foreign workers.

The 60-day grace period, in place since 2017, allows H-1B visa holders time to find a new sponsor or prepare their affairs before leaving the country. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security assumes that the affected workers will either be offered the same jobs to equally qualified U.S. workers or go through the I-129 petition process.

The rule change would also impact other temporary work visas, including E-1, E-2, L-1, O-1, and TN professional workers. The proposal is subject to a two-month public comment period before it can become law.