‘Put travel plans on hold’: H-1B visa warning issued by University of Southern California; ‘Until further guidance’

The University of Southern California has issued a travel warning urging its faculty and staff who are on H-1B visas to defer international travel until further guidance is available on the visa issue. The university’s student newspaper reported about the advisory that also urged staff outside the US to come back to the country. “Out of an abundance of caution, all faculty and staff in H-1B status currently in the U.S. should put international travel plans on hold until they receive further guidance,” the statement obtained by the outlet reads. “If possible, any faculty and staff in H-1B status who are currently outside the US are strongly recommended to return to the US before the proclamation takes effect.”The proclamation took effect from September 21 two days after Trump signed it, requiring employers to pay $100,000 fee for each new H-1B petition filed after September 21. Tech companies were in a disarray initially but it was later clarified that there was no need to rush back staff outside the country, as it won’t affect existing staff. Existing H‑1B holders, as well as renewals and amendments, are exempt from the fee, and certain additional exemptions are available.“One of the primary reasons why people come here as well is because of the international reputation of the American education system,” Aisling Kelliher, an associate professor of cinematic arts at USC who came to the US on H-1B said. “It’s a huge opportunity, both to come here as an immigrant and to receive an education, and then also to be able to continue as a researcher and as a teacher within the system that you’ve learned from.”The H-1B visa fee is now being challenged in court, as a group comprising unions, employers, and religious organisations has filed a federal lawsuit aiming to prevent the implementation of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.