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Opinion
Visa denials under Trump could be an opportunity for Hong Kong
Hong Kong can attract talent disillusioned by US immigration rules but policymakers must act fast to promote what the city has to offer
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John Hanzhang Ye is a PhD student in science and technology history at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and also holds an MPhil degree in sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Donald Trump is returning to the White House, after emphatically winning the most influential election of the year. With the Republican Party confirmed to take control of the US Senate and the House of Representatives, the world is expecting the return of a more protectionist America with lots of uncertainty.
One certainty, though, is a hardline immigration policy. Trump’s last administration cracked down on both undocumented immigrants and legal immigration. In October 2020, the Trump administration issued restrictive rules for H-1B visas – usually held by skilled professionals – that were ultimately blocked in court.
Under the rules, the Department of Labour would have significantly increased the minimum wage required for H-1B visa holders, deterring companies from hiring the many new graduates from US colleges who are not American citizens but keen to start their career in the country. The Department of Homeland Security would have narrowed the range of jobs covered by an H-1B visa and increased scrutiny of companies hiring for such positions.
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