Trump Administration Proposes Cutting Grace Period for H-1B and Other Visas
Under the proposal, some foreign workers would be considered immediately removable from the U.S. if they no longer work for an employer linked to their visa status.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period for certain foreign workers, including H-1B visa holders, who lose their jobs in the United States. This policy would force these workers to leave the country immediately upon job loss, rather than being allowed to search for new employment or adjust their immigration status.
The proposal, which received White House approval, aims to strengthen the relationship between nonimmigrant status and the specific employment or activity that granted it, while also reducing administrative burden. Proponents argue that the change would favor American workers and reduce the administrative workload of the DHS. However, critics contend that the policy would disproportionately impact over 730,000 H-1B visa holders and their dependents, as well as the broader community.
The DHS estimates that around 4,000 workers annually utilize the grace period to seek new employment after losing a job.
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