US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to give greater scrutiny to H-1B visa applications from employers that have recently laid off, or plan to lay off, US workers in similar roles, according to the media reports.
The order directs the Departments of State, Labour and Homeland Security to consider an employer’s recent or planned layoffs while processing Labour Condition Applications, H-1B petitions, visa applications and requests to enter the US. The Labour Department has also been given 30 days to review data linked to previously filed applications.
The measure does not automatically prevent companies that have conducted layoffs from sponsoring H-1B workers. Instead, it calls for closer scrutiny of employment practices and other relevant factors, with further implementation guidance expected from federal agencies.
The move could have implications for Indian professionals because India remains the largest source of H-1B beneficiaries. USCIS data cited by Indian Express show that people born in India accounted for 71 per cent of approved H-1B petitions in fiscal year 2024.
Separately, the Trump administration has extended the USD 100,000 payment requirement for certain new H-1B workers until September 2027. The policy remains subject to ongoing legal challenges.
