The visa changes mooted by the Trump administration are just “proposed changes” and have not been made into a law, and states are working with their Congressional delegation regarding the implications of the changes, two U.S. officials said.
Speaking to reporters, Senator Deb Peters said during their meetings with the industry in India, the issue of visa rule changes was brought up. “They (industry) told us this a concern…The Press in the U.S. and you (the Press in India) have been reporting about ‘proposed changes’. I want to emphasise ‘proposed’, as you all are well aware that in the U.S., one man’s idea does not make it law. It still has to go through the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate,” she said.
Senator Peters and Helene M. Keeley, State Representative, 3rd District D-Wilmington South, are in India as part of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). They have held meetings with students, industry and media in New Delhi, Lucknow and Chennai to understand various issues between India and the U.S.
Ms. Peters, who represents South Dakota, said “In South Dakota specifically, we have an unemployment rate of less than 1.8% and the only way we can expand the economy or expand businesses is by bringing people in. We do not have enough people in our State to add jobs…we can’t add jobs if nobody is there to take the jobs. “So we are working through with the administration and our Congressional members, and telling them ‘if you are making any changes, let’s be smart about those changes. Let us not inhibit economic development and workforce development’”.
Ms. Keeley said the State of Delaware would stand to lose about $133 million every year that come from students. Ms. Peters said the current administration’s proposed changes to the current visa regime would go through substantial changes before they are passed.
