Since Trump took office, there has been a noticeable tightening trend in U.S. immigration policies, which is not good news for applicants. Immigration to the United States was already challenging, and the tightening of policies has made it even more difficult. Therefore, it is essential to understand these changes clearly. Currently, the most significant policy change affecting Chinese nationals is the tightening of the H1B work visa, with stricter entry and visa requirements and a reduction in the availability of 10-year visas.
1. Tightening of the H1B Work Visa
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, stated that employers must demonstrate significant efforts in recruiting U.S. citizens before applying for H-1B visas. Additionally, their companies should provide jobs for qualified U.S. workers. Currently, the number of visas issued is capped at 85,000 per year.
2. Entry and Visa Requirements
The tightening of immigration policies under Trump is not merely rhetorical; it is evident in many areas. All types of visas are undergoing strict scrutiny, and the difficulty of obtaining green cards has increased. On February 22, 2018, an official from the immigration bureau stated that the term "immigrant country" would no longer be used, and visa applicants would no longer be referred to as "clients." This significant shift further indicates that the immigration bureau is no longer a service-oriented agency.
3. Tightening of the 10-Year Visa
Chinese nationals are a significant group applying for the U.S. 10-year visa. However, since Trump took office, the U.S. government has strictly controlled the application for 10-year visas, which has had a considerable impact. In 2018, the number of 10-year visas issued to foreign scholars decreased by 25%, and the approval rate for Chinese scholars dropped by 45%. These trends indicate that obtaining a visa will become increasingly difficult in the future.
The tightening of U.S. immigration policies in these areas has a significant impact on Chinese nationals. If you plan to immigrate to the United States, it is advisable to consult and understand the situation in advance, choose the appropriate method, and prepare accordingly. However, it must be said that immigrating to the United States is becoming increasingly difficult, and applicants should seek assistance from professional immigration companies.