Impacts of Trump’s Immigration Strategies on Biopharma Professionals’ Work Visa Opportunities

As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, there are burgeoning worries regarding the potential impact of his forthcoming immigration policies on the biopharma sector’s workforce, particularly its foreign-born members. A significant concern stems from the likelihood of increased challenges in obtaining work visas for employment in the U.S.

To assess the situation, BioSpace consulted with immigration attorneys Maria Kallmeyer, partner and national co-chair of the immigration and mobility practice group at Quarles, and Sandra Feist, founding attorney at Feist Law & Advocacy, a firm specializing in immigration for professionals relocating to the U.S.

Both legal experts voiced apprehensions regarding how Trump’s actions could affect foreign-born biopharma workers, especially considering that some companies may be hesitant to hire individuals requiring work visas.

Feist reflected on previous issues experienced during Trump’s first term, such as delays in visa processing that adversely influenced employment opportunities for immigrants.

“Given the incoming administration, I have serious concerns that the immigration policies will have a negative impact across all immigration categories, not limited to humanitarian measures,” she expressed.

In light of historical immigration policies under Trump, Feist predicts that H-1B visas will face more stringent scrutiny compared to O-1 visas. H-1Bs cater to specialized occupations necessitating advanced knowledge, whereas O-1As target individuals with exceptional contributions to fields such as science.

From Travel Bans to Narrower H-1B Eligibility

During Trump’s prior administration, numerous policies adversely affected foreign-born professionals. Kallmeyer noted the executive order from January 2017 that imposed a travel ban on citizens from several countries, including Iran and Syria, leading to the revocation of visas for those nationals. As a result, biopharma researchers faced obstacles in entering the U.S. for work or conferences, as reported by STAT News.

Feist highlighted additional problematic policies from the previous administration, such as the 2017 decision by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services which rescinded previous guidelines that favored established visa extension eligibility, leading to increased scrutiny and denials of extensions for O-1A and H-1B visa holders.

Kallmeyer anticipates that the upcoming administration will prolong visa processing times while enforcing stricter eligibility criteria for H-1B visas.

Feist concurred, indicating that the administration may attempt to redefine specialty occupations to include stricter educational requirements for H-1B eligibility.

Anxiety Mounts

Reflecting on client experiences during the first Trump term, Feist noted that the anxiety faced by foreign-born biopharma professionals could intensify in the coming months. She mentioned that many individuals were left uncertain and uneasy about their visa applications, prompting them to seek expedited processing options for peace of mind.

“We have clients that are willing to pay for premium processing just to have some assurance,” Feist added. “Such a scenario was almost unthinkable before the previous administration.”

Recommendations for Biopharma Professionals

As Trump’s inauguration on January 20 approaches, Kallmeyer advises foreign-born biopharma workers to ensure they return from any international trips before the swearing-in. Potential immigration restrictions could arise, echoing the past travel bans or other emergency declarations.

Feist also recommends that work visa applicants apply for extensions six months in advance, which grants additional time to address any requests for evidence and prepares them for potential complications in the approval process.

Moreover, accumulating important records such as approval notices and documentation of achievements can be beneficial. Feist urges professionals seeking permanent residency in the U.S. to begin the green card application process promptly, as navigating future obstacles may prove challenging.

Despite concerns, Feist reassures that foreign-born professionals in biopharma fields are less likely to be directly targeted by the incoming administration’s immigration policies. “While it may become a bit more arduous, it is likely that they will be able to secure their work visas and green cards in due course,” Feist stated.

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