Employment immigration makes it possible for skilled and educated professionals to enter the United States. If they secure jobs with domestic employers, they can lawfully live in the United States for as long as they keep their jobs and retain their visas.
Typically, they can also bring their spouses and minor, unmarried children with them if they also qualify for visas. They could live and work in the United States for long enough to qualify for green cards and eventually citizenship. However, in an uncertain economy, professionals never have a guarantee of continued employment.
What options do immigrants have if they lose their jobs suddenly?
There is time to look for a new position
Typically, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) carefully vets applicants for employment visas. They generally have professional skills or education that make them valuable. They also pass background checks, meaning they don’t pose an obvious risk to public safety.
Keeping such people in the country can be beneficial, so the USCIS does offer a grace period after a job loss. Many professionals with work visas have up to 60 days to secure new jobs. They can petition the USCIS with their new employers and can likely stay in the country.
In some cases, those who have lost their jobs may be eligible for other forms of immigration protection, such as asylum. Others may be able to adjust their status and become permanent residents.
Discussing immigration concerns with a skilled legal team can help professionals protect themselves and their families. Job loss does not always mean that those with work visas must leave the United States, but it is important to seek guidance quickly in the wake of job loss to minimize a risk of negative outcomes down the road.
