Business immigration issues can be particularly complicated, mainly as the result of the stringent immigration laws in place. Here are 3 of the most common types that can occur and how to deal with them.
1. H1-B Visa Caps Are Unchanged
The number of skilled foreign workers who are authorized to work in the United States with an H1-B visa is capped at 65,000. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) starts taking applications for the next fiscal year in April. In 2016, for example, USCIS began accepting H1-B petitions for the 2017 fiscal year on April 1, 2016. By September of 2016, more than 236,000 petitions were filed. Many businesses should plan in advance for the next fiscal year because the number of visas available for all U.S. businesses is few and far between.
2. Immigration Reform Might Affect Wages
Immigration is an issue that always remains under scrutiny in politics. As political parties shift and change, some congressional members might introduce or reintroduce comprehensive immigration reform. Some nonpartisan institutes, including the Fiscal Policy Institute, estimate undocumented workers who gain legitimate employment status will receive a 5% to 10% increase in their earnings. If this becomes a reality, all employers should be prepared for it. Include estimates into your projections and plans for the coming years.
3. Dealing with International Response
Opening U.S. borders to skilled and unskilled workers can lead to large-scale “brain drain” in underdeveloped countries. Brain drain is an enormous problem to nations who could use these talented individuals to make positive changes in their own countries. Leaders who are cognizant of this issue might implement their own reforms, but a more populist response will be the imposition of immigration restrictions. If your business operates in an international arena, you might see opportunities disappear if brain drain places too much stress on one trading partner’s economy.
If you’re an employer who is interested in hiring workers from abroad, don’t hesitate to give our skilled Lake Charles immigration lawyers a call. Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP is a firm dedicated to using our experience and knowledge to help people with immigration issues. Over the course of our history, we have handled thousands of cases and helped thousands of people navigate the complicated legal area of immigration law. Let us see what we can do for you.
Contact us by phone or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.