‘Even Steve Jobs was fired from his own company’: Immigration lawyer says H-1B workers should plan ahead for layoffs, they are not U.S. citizens

Immigration attorneys say H-1B visa holders should always have a plan in case they are fired because no one is irreplaceable, not even Steve Jobs was fired from his company.

When U.S. companies announce layoffs and H-1B workers find it difficult to find new jobs within 60 days, immigration lawyers say it is difficult for them to understand that H-1B workers have no alternative plans for their jobs, and this situation can happen at any time. Despite market conditions, H-1B is only a temporary visa, not a green card, and it is not a U.S. citizen. Indian-origin immigration lawyer Rahul Reddy said people often think their jobs are irreplaceable because they do a good job, but even Steve Jobs was fired from the company he founded, so there’s no reason to be complacent.Reddy said there should be three plans:Plan A: This should be relevant to your job. Work hard, attend events, network with people, and find out your market value. Don’t take long vacations because in many cases people are working H-1B visa During the holidays I found out I was fired.Plan B: This is a plan for the situation in which you are fired. Plan ahead whether you want to transfer to an F visa for students or an H4 visa for spouses of H-1B visa holders. Reddy said that switching to the B1 visa for tourists is no longer an option because USCIS basically does not allow this change of status, and if switching to an H4 visa is an option, that is the best option.Plan C: This is for H-1B visa holders who must leave the United States. Reddy said H-1B visa holders should be prepared for this scenario because they are not permanent residents.

Don’t let your I-94 expire

Immigration attorney Emily Neumann adds to the list of what H-1Bs should do and suggests that I-94s should not expire. Because if it expires before 60 days when you are fired, your time in the United States is reduced, and the I-94 determines how long you can stay in the United States.Neumann added that H-1B visa holders who are at risk of being laid off should preserve their emergency savings and should avoid traveling outside the United States.