Immigration Policy Impact: Tech Companies Advise Visa Workers

Apple and Google have recently advised their visa-holding employees to avoid international travel due to the heightened vetting processes implemented by the Trump administration. Internal memos reviewed by NPR indicate that the Department of Homeland Security's new rules, which require extensive social media history checks, have resulted in significant delays for visa applicants at U.S. consulates and embassies, with some experiencing waits of up to several months.

Law firms representing these companies, such as Berry Appleman & Leiden and Fragomen, have echoed the advisories, warning employees without valid H-1B visa stamps to postpone travel plans. The administration's policies have drawn criticism for their impact on tech companies, which rely on highly-skilled foreign workers.

The Alphabet Workers' Union at Google has campaigned for additional protections for H-1B visa holders, emphasizing the urgency of their situation amid the scrutiny of immigration policies. The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has raised concerns about the legal status of employees following layoffs, as losing employer sponsorship could jeopardize their ability to remain in the U.S.