Major US tech companies are warning employees on temporary visas not to travel outside the country, fearing they may be denied re-entry amid shifting immigration policies. Tech giants employ thousands of workers on H-1B visas, which allow highly-skilled foreign workers to temporarily live and work in the US.
Warnings to H-1B Visa Holders
Documents reviewed by The Washington Post show companies like Google and Amazon have advised foreign workers to avoid international travel, fearing sudden policy changes or heightened border scrutiny could leave them stranded overseas.
H-1B visa denial rates increased during Trump’s first term, and law firms warn they may spike again. In January, the Department of Homeland Security tightened H-1B protocols, requiring more employer documentation and raising the non-refundable fee per entry from $10 to $215.
“There has been a surge in audits and enforcement actions against employers hiring foreign workers, creating job insecurity for legal immigrant employees,” Poorvi Chothani, managing partner at immigration law firm LawQuest told Rest of World. Some employees have reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers showing up at their homes to verify remote work arrangements, she said.
On top of that, the administration’s push to end birthright citizenship has sparked concerns among immigrant workers that even their future US-born children could be left with precarious immigration status.
The Stakes for Big Tech
The tech industry is heavily reliant on H-1B talent. Each year, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) caps new H-1B visas at 85,000, issued through a lottery system. More than two-thirds go to tech professionals, with the majority awarded to workers from India.
In 2024, Amazon received more than 9,200 H-1B approvals, according to USCIS data. Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Tesla also ranked among the top employers of visa holders. These workers fill roles not only in software engineering but also in AI, cybersecurity, and product development, according to a Business Insider analysis. Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk has been leading Trump’s push to shrink the federal government, had 1,767 H-1B approvals in fiscal year 2024.
As transferring an H-1B visa to a new employer requires federal approval, visa holders are often seen as more stable hires, making them a strategic asset for tech companies competing for top talent. H-1B holders who become unemployed are only allowed to stay in the US legally for 60 days without finding another job.
Industry leaders warn that making it harder for foreign workers to stay in the US could hurt the country’s competitiveness, especially in the global race for AI and advanced technologies.
Trump’s Mixed Signals on H-1B
President Trump’s stance on the H-1B program has been inconsistent. In 2016, he vowed to eliminate it, calling it a “cheap labor” scheme. But in late 2024, just before returning to office, he praised H-1Bs as a “great program.” So far in 2025, however, his administration has leaned toward stricter enforcement.
Despite the recent praise, his administration has leaned toward stricter enforcement in 2025. While he has not formally moved to end the program, immigration law firms are preparing for further disruption.
Some are holding town halls, offering individual consultations, and distributing FAQs advising workers to stay in the US, carry documents at all times, and avoid potentially controversial social media posts.
Image credit: DC Studio on Freepik
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