H1B visa suspended

Question: Consider the following statement and choose the correct option:
(1) US has announced the suspension of H1-B visa for immigrants.
(2) The suspension will be valid for 2 years.
(3) H1-B visa is very popular among the India IT Professional for working in US.
Correct option:
(a)1 and 3
(b)1 and 2
(c)2 and 3
(d)All of the above
Answer: (a)
Related facts:

• U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive order regarding suspension of H-1B visas, along with other foreign work visas for the rest of the year.
• H4 visas (H-1B dependents), L visas (intra-company transfers), as well as H-2B (non-agricultural workers) and J visas will also be on hold through the year end.
• The order was released on June 24 2020.
• This decision will impact a large number of Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies whom H-1B visas were issued by the U.S. government for the 2021 fiscal year beginning on October 1 2020.
• A large number of Indian IT professionals who are seeking H-1B visa renewal will also be impacted.
• This decision was taken as the overall unemployment rate in the United States nearly quadrupled between February and May of 2020.
• Workers coming through the H-1B, H-2B, J, and L non-immigrant visa programmes are therefore a significant threat to employment opportunities for Americans.
• The new rule would apply only to those who are outside the U.S., do not have a valid non-immigrant visa and an official travel document other than a visa to enter the country.
• This role would not however impact the lawful permanent residents of the United States and foreign nationals who are spouses or child of an American citizen.

By: Himanshu Shukla

Links:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/reform-h-1b-visa-system-move-towards-merit-based-immigration-trump-to-officials/article31895379.ece/amp/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/news/international/trump-issues-proclamation-to-suspend-h-1b-other-visas-till-year-end/article31895086.ece/amp/