H1B VISA, TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE WORLD

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has rocked the world to its core, and its repercussions have been felt universally. In its wake, it has left millions of people mourning for loved ones lost, doctors and nurses working overtime for months, helpless labourers pining away for food, clothing and shelter, foreign nationals unsure of their future.

Given what is happening inside the country, let us take a look at the international front. Loads of people apply for H1B visa for working in the United States, and find their livelihoods working temporarily for US companies. H1B allows employment in specialty occupations, which usually require application of specialised knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of some work experience. Its validity remains for three years extendable to six, following thereafter it needs to be reapplied for. It might seem merely a formality, but recently it has become a tough nut to crack. Back in the first quarter of 2015, the approval rate was 96% following which it plummeted to 75% in the first quarter of 2019, due to an executive order by President Donald Trump passed in April 2017 to protect working US nationals. Now, if the number of applications are higher than expected, getting picked at the lottery isn’t enough. The applications are further scrutinized by US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), during which they can also ask for more documents to form their decision. The road to US is getting bumpier and the COVID-19 has only made it worse. More than 33 million people in the US alone have lost their jobs, a large part of them hailing from different countries. Although the US government has allowed a grace period of 60 days for those with expired work permits and green card applicants to supply necessary documents when asked for, many have lost hopes of regaining their jobs or getting new ones after effects of the pandemic wear off. The complications coming alongside the grace period have become a source of constant uneasiness and anxiety filled with fear of a worrisome future.

The COVID-19 is about to change the entire concept of travelling. Hundred percent of all global destinations have introduced travel restrictions following the outbreak. Out of 217 destinations worldwide, 45% have totally or partially closed their borders off for tourists, 30% have totally or partially suspended flights from international terminals in airports, 18% are banning the entry for passengers from specific countries of origin or passengers who have transited through certain destinations and 7% are applying different measures, such as quarantine or self-isolation for 14 days and visa measures. Amidst this retreat, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has been trying to put emphasis on how this sudden backdrop has led to jeopardising millions of jobs and livelihoods along with fall in equality and sustainable development over the years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) encourages travellers to strictly follow personal hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing. It is prudent for the elderly and sick to refrain from travelling completely.

As the world battles with the unprecedented pandemic, India's former UN envoy Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said with regards to inadequacies of all the governments of the world, “Retooling to make them fit for the purpose for our times will be required, once the immediate concerns of addressing the multiple crises are addressed. Otherwise the global governance crisis impedes the arrival of the new normal.”

The pandemic has the potential to further erode the trust of people in public institutions, if they perceive lack of adequate measures and transparency. The weaknesses and lack of control exposed by this virus can definitely pave the way for terrorism and similar devastation across the globe. There has been a spike in phishing attempts and malware distribution as cyber attackers are using COVID-19 as bait to lure people into fraud. International and national health organisations are becoming targets for cyber-attacks. Google has proactively increased its security filters for online accounts to protect against these malware attacks and spam. Doctors, nurses, community sweepers, policemen face life-risking situations every day. There have also been cases of discrimination in accessing healthcare, limitations on freedom of expression, civic space and media. Security measures have been challenged like never before, and it’s time to devise new methods of administering control over malpractices of all kinds to achieve world peace.