‘Indentured servants’

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-10-09T15:10:32.671Z • Permanent link

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced a change to the green card application process for IT workers, sparking widespread concern among the tech industry. This move will affect thousands of foreign nationals who have been working in the US as IT professionals, potentially forcing them to leave the country or seek alternative immigration paths. According to data from the National Foundation for American Policy, over 100,000 foreign-born IT workers currently hold H-1B visas, which are often used as a stepping stone to permanent residency. The new policy aims to limit the number of new H-1B visas issued each year, from 85,000 to 65,000, and also restrict the number of existing visas that can be renewed.

The impact of this change is expected to be felt particularly hard by companies that rely heavily on foreign-born IT talent. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have all employed large numbers of H-1B visa holders, and these workers have been instrumental in driving innovation and growth in the industry. According to a report by the Information Technology Industry Council, foreign-born workers account for nearly 50% of the US tech workforce, and many of these workers are being forced to leave the country due to the new policy. Industry insiders are already warning of a potential shortage of skilled IT workers, which could have significant implications for US businesses and the broader economy.

USCIS has defended the new policy, citing concerns over the impact of H-1B visa holders on US workers. However, many experts argue that the policy is based on flawed assumptions and could ultimately harm the US economy. For example, a report by the Center for American Progress found that H-1B visa holders actually contribute significantly to the US economy, with some estimates suggesting that they generate over $26 billion in annual economic activity.

The impact of this change on the Global Infrastructure domain is significant, with far-reaching implications for companies, research communities, and markets. The tech industry is a critical component of the global economy, and any disruptions to this sector can have significant ripple effects. Research communities, such as universities and think tanks, are also likely to be affected, as they often rely on foreign-born IT workers to conduct research and develop new technologies.

The new policy is likely to have a disproportionate impact on smaller tech companies, which often rely heavily on foreign-born IT talent to drive growth and innovation. According to a report by CB Insights, the top 10% of venture-backed startups in the US have a significantly higher percentage of foreign-born founders and employees, and these companies are likely to be hit hard by the new policy. As a result, many small tech companies may be forced to scale back their operations or seek alternative immigration paths, which could have significant implications for the broader tech ecosystem.

The broader context of this change is also worth considering. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more restrictive immigration policies in the US, with some lawmakers calling for a complete overhaul of the H-1B visa program. However, many experts argue that this approach is based on flawed assumptions and could ultimately harm the US economy. For example, a report by the National Academy of Sciences found that H-1B visa holders actually contribute significantly to the US economy, and that more restrictive immigration policies could have significant negative consequences.