Analyzing the Election's Impact: Immigration Policies and Business Outcomes The results of the 2024 Presidential Election have sparked concerns about potential changes to US immigration policies, which could significantly affect businesses dependent on foreign talent. Companies in sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering — which often recruit experts from abroad — are particularly apprehensive. Understandably, many fear that tightened immigration rules could restrict their access to the skilled professionals essential for their operations. Many companies are now seeking guidance from US immigration attorneys in New York to understand the implications. To help navigate this uncertainty, we will delve into the immigration strategies proposed by the president-elect and analyze their potential impact on talent acquisition, economic performance, and operational costs across various industries. We'll explore the changes we can expect and how they might shape future regulations. More importantly, we're also providing guidance on how your business can prepare for the upcoming changes. Immigration: A hot topic in US elections Immigration is always a key topic in elections because it influences both economic approaches and humanitarian policies. Businesses that depend on international talent are particularly affected by election outcomes. Decisions on employment-based immigration policies — such as H-1B visa approvals, E-Verify participation, and processing timelines — will have direct impacts on sectors like engineering, technology, agriculture, and healthcare. Two different paths The two candidates
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Harris supported modernizing immigration infrastructure and expanding visa access to benefit certain sectors, particularly healthcare and technology. The plan was to increase access to more skilled international talent and fill critical skill gaps to drive innovation in sectors that depend on such talent. In contrast, Trump advocated for stricter compliance measures and tighter visa caps, potentially increasing business costs and limiting access to international professionals. Analysts say that this restrictive approach may boost labor costs and worsen workforce shortages in critical industries like agriculture and healthcare. Stricter rules can bring new challenges. Stricter immigration policies under the incoming administration may disrupt your talent acquisition flow and require your business to allocate more resources to compliance. This can lead to delays in project timelines and hiring processes. Preparing your business for new and changing immigration policies
Companies should proactively prepare for changes to effectively navigate upcoming immigration policies. •
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Developing contingency plans — such as exploring alternative visa options — can mitigate the impact of potential restrictions. US immigration attorneys in New York can help you look for other pathways to bring talent to the US when H-1B visas are limited. Focusing on internal talent development can also reduce your reliance on international hiring. Additionally, taking full advantage of any expanded immigration pathways can create new opportunities for your business.
For tailored advice, our US immigration attorney in New York is available to help you devise the best strategy for your needs. What the election outcome means for your business Changes to US immigration policies influence whether skilled workers decide to work in the US or choose other countries. Currently, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany offer arguably more efficient and predictable visa processes than the US, allowing these countries to successfully attract global talent. The H-1B visa is essential for businesses that depend on international talent, especially in the healthcare and technology sectors. Approval rates for these visas notably declined during President Trump's first term. This was due to more rigorous adjudication standards and an increase in Requests for Evidence. Given that President Trump was reelected, we can likely expect H-1B approval rates to either decline further or remain flat. If your business relies on specialized professionals from other countries — such as software engineers from India, agricultural scientists from Brazil, or healthcare specialists from the Philippines — the new administration’s more conservative approach to __ may have profound impacts on your ability to secure the talent you need right away. Whether you are in agriculture, technology, engineering, or healthcare, it’s important to anticipate potential changes so you can adapt your growth and hiring strategies and mitigate risk. Analysts also advise businesses to prepare for rising compliance and legal costs. During Trump’s first term, legal costs were, on average, 18% higher due to stricter audits and more frequent RFEs. It makes sense to anticipate similar challenges and potential difficulties not just in hiring international talent but also in maintaining visa status for existing employees moving forward. Face immigration challenges with our help. Get assistance in hiring international talent by consulting a US immigration attorney in New York. Get in touch with us here at Berd & Klauss, PLLC, regarding any immigration matters that may impact your business. Call 212-461-7152.
