Trump Admin Shuts Office Helping Immigrants with H-1B Visa: Report
In a move that has raised concerns among the global community, the Trump administration has reportedly shut down the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman, a crucial agency that provides assistance to immigrants dealing with complex visa-related issues, including Green Cards and H-1B Visas. The news was first reported by The Economic Times, citing sources.
The CIS Ombudsman office, which was established in 2000, played a vital role in resolving immigration-related disputes and providing guidance to individuals navigating the often-complex visa application process. The agency processed around 30,000 requests in 2024 alone, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
The suspension of the CIS Ombudsman office is likely to have far-reaching consequences for individuals holding H-1B and F-1 visas, including those from India, who are among the largest groups of foreign nationals working in the United States. H-1B visas are temporary work visas granted to skilled foreign workers, while F-1 visas are issued to international students pursuing higher education in the US.
The Trump administration’s decision to shut down the office has sparked widespread criticism from immigration advocates and legal experts, who argue that it is a significant blow to the already-strained US immigration system. The closure of the office is seen as a move that will only add to the uncertainty and stress faced by foreign nationals seeking to navigate the complex US immigration bureaucracy.
“This is devastating news for thousands of individuals who rely on the Ombudsman’s office for help,” said AILA President, Doug Stump. “The Trump administration’s decision to shut down this critical resource will only exacerbate the already-chronic backlogs and delays in the US immigration system.”
The CIS Ombudsman office was established to provide a neutral and independent entity to assist individuals in resolving disputes and addressing concerns related to US immigration policies and procedures. The office received over 30,000 requests for assistance in 2024, with cases ranging from issues related to visa denials and delays to problems with deportation and removal proceedings.
The office’s closure will likely have a disproportionate impact on certain groups, including Indian nationals who hold H-1B and F-1 visas. India is one of the largest sources of foreign nationals working in the US, with many Indian professionals holding H-1B visas in fields such as technology, medicine, and engineering. The suspension of the CIS Ombudsman office will likely leave these individuals without a dedicated resource to turn to for assistance.
The news of the office’s closure comes at a time when the US immigration system is already under significant strain. The Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” policy on immigration, which has led to the separation of thousands of migrant families, has been widely criticized by human rights groups and legal experts.
The suspension of the CIS Ombudsman office is seen as a move that will only add to the uncertainty and stress faced by foreign nationals seeking to navigate the complex US immigration bureaucracy. It is crucial that the incoming administration prioritizes the reopening of the office and restores the critical services it provided to individuals seeking assistance with visa-related issues.
