FIIDS Urges Trump Administration To Ease H-1B Visa Delays | World News

A leading Indo-American policy organization has urged the Trump administration to take a more calibrated approach to expand social media scrutiny of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, warning that widespread cancellations and delays in visa appointments are disrupting US industry and stranding thousands of highly skilled workers abroad.

In a letter addressed to President Donald J. Trump, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) said it strongly supports the US State Department’s decision to expand its online presence and social media review to all H-1B and H-4 applicants.

The new policy went into effect on December 15. FIIDS described it as “a vital step in enhancing national security through comprehensive examination of applicants’ digital footprints to identify potential risks.”

At the same time, FIIDS warned that the implementation of the new measures “led to widespread cancellations and rescheduling of visa appointments, with most of them being postponed from December 2025 to March 2026 or later” and causing “significant disruptions for essential workers and US industry.”

The organization said thousands of H-1B holders are currently stranded abroad following holiday travel or visa renewals due to consular cancellations, with the impact largely falling on Indian citizens.

In its letter, FIIDS noted that Indian professionals “account for 70-75% of approvals”, making them particularly vulnerable to sudden appointment bottlenecks.

According to the letter, major technology companies are already feeling the effects.

“Tech leaders including Google, Apple and Microsoft have issued advisories warning employees against international travel, citing unforeseen delays that could halt contributions to critical projects indefinitely,” FIIDS said. he said.

The group warned that prolonged disruptions threaten ongoing work in “AI, data platforms, engineering and other high-impact areas” and have broader implications for the United States’ “economic competitiveness, innovation leadership and global advantage.”

FIIDS emphasized that its concerns were not aimed at undoing enhanced scrutiny but at preventing avoidable disruptions.

He called on the administration to “protect existing scheduled appointments without blanket cancellations” and suggested officials instead prioritize pre-interview screening for applicants with already confirmed slots.

The organization also recommended setting clear limits on additional processing delays.

“We also recommend that post-interview administrative proceedings be limited to one month to alleviate difficulties,” the letter said, arguing that such a measure would allow vetted professionals to return to the United States immediately without compromising security goals.

FIIDS framed its proposal to be consistent with the administration’s broader policy goals. The proposed approach, it said, “is consistent with your administration’s goals of strong immigration enforcement as well as a strong, innovation-driven economy supported by skilled professionals.”

The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specific occupations. It has long been an important avenue for Indian professionals in technology, engineering, healthcare and research to work in the United States.

Over the years, India has emerged as the single largest source country for H-1B beneficiaries; This reflects the depth of U.S.-India high-skilled workforce and innovation relations.