Twitter layoffs have put H-1B visa holders in tough spot: Report | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Twitter layoffs have put H-1B visa holders in tough spot: Report

By | Edited by Poulomi Ghosh
Nov 06, 2022 02:22 PM IST

As per the current norms for H-1B visa holders, employees get a 60-day grace period to leave the country or face consequences for violating their immigration status.

Amid the layoffs at Twitter since Elon Musk's takeover, things have got a little complicated for employees – especially if they are an H-1B visa holder. According to a Forbes report, Twitter has approximately 625 to 670 employees in H-1B status, which is nearly 8 per cent of the company's roughly 7,500 employees around the world.

With Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, 50% of Twitter employees worldwide have been laid off.(Reuters)
With Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, 50% of Twitter employees worldwide have been laid off.(Reuters)

H-1B visa is a commonly used status by many tech firms in the US to hire international employees. It is a non-immigrant work visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

However, those laid off are now under the direct threat of their immigration status.

Employer obligations during layoff

“When an employer lays off an H-1B visa holder, three obligations are triggered,” said William Stock of Klasko Immigration Law Partners, in an interview with Forbes.

Stock said that in case of H-1B employment, a termination before the visa's end date needs to notify the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of any ‘material change’ in the terms of the H-1B visa status. Moreover, the employer has to pay the employee the ‘reasonable costs of return transportation’ – meaning the air fare.

Also Read: Jack Dorsey says ‘I apologise’ amid mass layoffs at Twitter under Elon Musk

The employer also needs to ensure that the employee is paid full salary until they are notified of the layoff.

Musk himself came to America as an international student and later obtained an H-1B visa so he could work in the United States, as per the Forbes report.

Also Read: What Elon Musk said on Twitter layoffs to avoid employee grant payout

Double whammy for employees

A layoff is difficult for anyone as it is. To top it off, as per the current norms for H-1B visa holders, employees relieved on such terms are on a 60-day deadline to leave the country or face consequences for violating their immigration status.

“Once employment is terminated, an H-1B visa holder enters a 60-day grace period during which he or she needs to leave the U.S., seek a change of status or have another employer file an H-1B petition or other immigration petition on their behalf,” Kevin Miner, a partner with Fragomen, told the magazine.

This puts the employee in a difficult position, as they need to find another job within that grace period – not just because of income but also to maintain their immigration status and continue to live in the country.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On