Silicon Valley’s largest tech firms, which employ thousands of immigrant workers on H1B visas, are warning these employees not to leave the U.S. amid growing fears they may be denied reentry, The Washington Post reports. Law firms say rejection rates for high-skilled visas may increase amid the Trump administration’s restrictive stance on immigration. Reducing visas for these workers could hurt the U.S. tech industry’s competitive standing, experts say. CEOs of Google, Uber and Nvidia are all immigrants.
Major companies — Amazon, Google, Microsoft — are warning their immigrant employees that travel could risk reentry.
And for many, this sudden uncertainty is putting everything on pause… especially buying a home.
🔍 This isn’t just a tech or immigration issue.
This affects the entire housing market, particularly in major tech hubs like Seattle, San Francisco, and Austin. When tens of thousands of skilled workers are too scared to make long-term commitments, that slows demand, softens prices, and adds friction to local markets.
🏡 For mortgage professionals and homebuyers alike, there’s a massive opportunity here:
✔️ Less competition means more negotiating power
✔️ Investors may see rare buying windows
✔️ Tech professionals with permanent status can secure better deals
Meanwhile, current homeowners with uncertain status need smart mortgage strategies to preserve what they’ve already built.
💬 Whether you’re a first-time buyer, tech employee, or investor, let’s talk.
This isn’t just a news headline — it’s a mortgage moment.
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The issues outlined would also apply to Canadians under the NAFTA (now USMCA) treaty who are working under a TN visa. However, leaving the U.S. and reentering may currently be viewed under a different lens, potentially due to changes in immigration or border policies where TN visas are issued on the spot.
The challenges faced by H-1B visa holders in Silicon Valley, especially Indian nationals, are highlighted in a recent article by The Washington Post. These workers are grappling with the repercussions of widespread tech industry layoffs, exacerbated by per-country caps on green cards. Such limitations, capping each country at 7% of the 140,000 green cards issued yearly, create prolonged backlogs for Indian applicants, stretching for decades.
📢 Corporate Restructuring and Visa Status: Key Insights for Employers and Employees in the U.S.
Corporate restructuring events like mergers, acquisitions, layoffs, and bankruptcies can significantly impact employment-based visa holders (e.g., H-1B, L-1, E-2) in the U.S.
Here’s what you need to know:
✅ H-1B Visa Holders:
Restructuring requires amended petitions to maintain compliance. Layoffs trigger a 60-day grace period for workers to find new employment or change status.
✅ L-1 Visa Holders:
Qualifying relationships between foreign and U.S. entities must remain intact post-restructuring. Ownership changes may require amended petitions.
✅ E-2 Visa Holders:
Treaty investors must retain at least 50% ownership after restructuring; bankruptcy or liquidation could terminate visa eligibility.
✅ Green Card Processing:
Layoffs and corporate changes can complicate PERM labor certifications and I-140 portability. Successor entities must meet strict requirements to preserve priority dates.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
➡️Employers should proactively manage immigration compliance during restructuring.
➡️Visa holders should have contingency plans, including savings and alternative employment options.
➡️USCIS is increasing scrutiny on restructuring events—timely filings and documentation are critical.
➡️Corporate transitions demand careful planning to avoid immigration pitfalls. Both employers and employees must stay informed and prepared! 🚀