(FIIDS is only seeking your support / sign and NOT seeking any donation)

Thousands of individuals on H1B and H4 visas are experiencing significant delays due to cancelled visa appointments. This disruption is not only affecting the personal lives of countless families but also triggering a ripple effect across the tech industry and broader American economy. Hard-working individuals who contribute significantly to the innovation and growth are caught in this administrative quagmire. This is not just a bureaucratic nuisance; it threatens livelihoods and undermines the competitive edge of U.S. tech firms. We support Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), Indo American Policy and Awareness Institution, request to avoid the visa appointment delays.

FIIDS support the U.S. Department of State's expansion of online presence and social media vetting to all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants for  enhancing national security through thorough reviews of applicants' digital footprints to identify potential risks. However, the resulting widespread cancellations and rescheduling of visa appointments—pushing many from December 2025 into March 2026 or later—have caused significant disruptions for essential workers and U.S. industry.

Thousands of H-1B holders, primarily from India (representing 70-75% of approvals), are stranded abroad after holiday travel or visa renewals due to consular cancellations. Tech leaders, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft, have issued advisories warning employees against international travel, citing unpredictable delays that could indefinitely halt contributions to critical projects. These delays threaten ongoing work in AI, data platforms, engineering, andother high-impact fields, jeopardizing U.S. economic competitiveness, innovation leadership, and global advantage.

FIIDS Request for Prioritized, Non-Disruptive Vetting to Minimize Delays: 

FIIDS urges the Administration to preserve existing scheduled appointments without blanket cancellations, instead prioritizing pre-interview vetting for those slots to enable timely processing. We further suggest capping any post-interview administrative processing at one month to alleviate hardships, allowing vetted talent to return promptly and contribute to U.S. priorities without undermining security. This balanced approach aligns with your Administration's goals of robust immigration enforcement alongside a strong, innovation-driven economy fueled by skilled professionals.

Kindly consider to make this change immediately to avoid interruptions in tech industry as well as families of stuck applicants.