A shocking 7,000 Indian students and exchange visitors exceeded their visa limits in the US in 2023, as noted by Jessica M. Vaughan, a specialist from the Center for Immigration Studies. This information was presented during a hearing titled “Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America” held by the US House Committee on the Judiciary.
Vaughan’s statement emphasized that 32 nations have overstay rates for students-exchange visitors surpassing 20%. India, together with Brazil, China, and Colombia, recorded the most overstays, with India at the forefront.
The F and M visa types, which permit students to engage in academic and vocational studies in the US, possess the highest rates of overstaying. To tackle this problem, Vaughan proposed various reforms, such as modifications to visa issuance practices and enhanced interior enforcement.
Suggested Changes to US Immigration Regulations
Vaughan promoted substantial reforms to the US immigration system, which included:
- Capping H-1B visas: Constraining the length of H-1B visas to two years, with an option for a four-year extension, and removing automatic renewals tied to Green Card applications.
- Capping H-1B visas: Restricting the overall count of H-1B visas to 75,000 or fewer, covering non-profit and research fields.
- Giving priority to employers that pay well: Issuing visas to the employers that offer the highest salaries, serving as an indicator of the most skilled workers.
- Limiting federal government agencies: Allowing federal agencies to request approval for visa workers only under specific conditions.
- Holding employers responsible: Making sure that all employers are held responsible for elevated overstay rates among sponsored employees.
Vaughan contended that the US is not experiencing a labor shortage, referencing the millions of Americans who have exited the workforce. She stressed the necessity to revamp visa programs to enhance opportunities for American workers.
The suggested reforms seek to tackle the problem of visa overstays and encourage a more equitable approach to US immigration policies.
