October 10, 2019
Increase in RFEs and H1B Denials under Trump Administration
According to a new report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the number of H-1B visa denials and Requests for Evidence (RFEs) has increased significantly soon after President Trump issued the “Buy American and Hire American” Executive Order in April 2017.
The NFAP report is based on data obtained from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- H-1B Denials increased by 41% from Quarter 3 to Quarter 4 of fiscal year 2017;
| Fiscal Year 2017 | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| H-1B Denial Rate | 19.8% | 17.3% | 15.9% | 22.4% |
- The number of H-1B RFEs in Quarter 4 was more than the first three quarters of the fiscal year combined;
| Fiscal Year 2017 | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 |
| H-1B RFE Rate | 17.3% | 13.5% | 22.5% | 68.9% |
- The denial rate for L-1A and L-1B petitions increased between the 1st and 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017;
| Fiscal Year 2017 | Quarter 1 | Quarter 4 |
| L-1A Denial Rate | 12.8% | 21.4% |
| L-1B Denial Rate | 21.7% | 28.7% |
The above data indicates how the Trump administration is limiting the admission of high-skilled foreign nationals, even though economists believe America greatly benefits from the entry of foreign-born scientists and engineers.
(Data Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, National Foundation for American Policy calculations.)
Amit Solanki, Immigration Executive
Keywords: RFEs, H-1B, Denials, Trump administration, USCIS
