Diaspora group seeks H1-B grace period extension

“The exodus of talent from the US is harmful for the long term interests of the US,” says FIIDS

Amid a layoff spree by tech giants from Google to Microsoft, an Indian diaspora group has launched a Change.org petition seeking extension of laid-off H-1B holders’ grace period from 2 months to one year.

The petition by Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies appeals for extension to President Joe Biden, Director of Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Read: Laid-off employees on H-1B visas share their stories (January 27, 2023)

“On behalf of Indian Americans represented by organizations like Global IndianTechnology Professionals Association (GITPRO) and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), we are writing to bring to your attention the massive layoffs in the tech industry in Jan 2023 that have been tough for tech professionals,” reads the petition.

About 91,000 got laid off in the United States in Jan 2023 mostly from technology hubs, the petition notes citing http://layoffstracker.com.

The Silicon Valley is the hub for many startups and serves as the global center for high tech and innovation, it notes pointing out that “Silicon Valley is mostly run by tech immigrants where more than 70% startups have immigrant co-founders and as of 2022 almost 50+ CEOs of public companies are Indian origin migrants.”

“The exodus of talent from the US is harmful for the long term interests of the US specially in the modern age of Artificial Intelligence competition,” the petition warns.

The laid off H-1B holders currently have about 60 days to find another employer to file for H-1B transfer or leave the country. Petitioners “see this as a huge disruption both on the family lives and their children’s education.”

Read: Amid job cuts, does an H-1B visa still hold its charm? (January 23, 2023)

“These are hardworking tax paying communities that don’t have enough time to find another job in this challenging job market,” it notes.

“Hence, FIIDS appeals to the President of the United States, to sympathetically consider the impact of the families on humanitarian ground and to work with DHS and USCIS to consider extending the current grace period from 60 days to 1 year (minimum 6 months),” the petition says.

“This will pause this brain drain and ensure that the US will continue to be a world leader in technology and innovation,” says FIIDS adding “We are available for a discussion on this topic and provide additional context and information.”

FIIDS also appealed to people to sign the petition to “Help your friends and families affected in the recent layoffs. The tide is not over yet. Your support and action can help take the message to the concerned authorities and make difference.”

FIIDS asked individuals to sign the change.org petition and forward the request to https://chng.it/rYdNQ4rj7v

Read: Indian Americans start “Laid off-Jobhunt” chat groups (January 26, 2023)

Read: Indian government asked to help laid off Indians (January 24, 2023)

Read: Indian techies prepare for worst amid lay-off spree (January 10, 2023)

Read: In holiday season carnage, tech sector shed more than 50,000 jobs in November (December 29, 2022)

Read: How workers can stay in the US after losing jobs (December 20, 2022)