US Chambers spokesperson: New rule on H1-B visa is tremendously bad

US move to end extension of H1-B visas will impact about 500,000 to 750,000 highly skilled Indian technology professionals, teachers, professors, etc. They may even be forced to move back to India.

The US Chamber of Commerce said today, that this will be a 'bad policy' and is contrary to goals of a merit based immigration system.

H-1B programme offers temporary US visas that allow companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals working in areas with shortages of qualified American workers.

This proposal of ending H1-B visa extension was a move by Trump who believes in 'Buy American, Hire American'.

"It would be tremendously bad policy to tell highly skilled individuals who are applying for permanent residency and have been working in the US for several years that they are no longer welcome," a US Chambers of Commerce spokesperson said.

"This policy would harm American business, our economy, and the country. Further, it is inconsistent with the goals of a more merit-based immigration system," the spokesperson said.