Leaked memo: Google tells H-1B employees to stay in the US
“We understand this may create challenges, and we are here to support you,” Google told employees last night.
President Trump’s executive order targeting H-1B visas has thrown the tech industry into chaos.
Inside Google, employees with H-1B status received an email last night warning them not to leave the US and to return if they’re traveling abroad by 12:01 am ET on Sunday, when Trump’s proclamation is scheduled to take effect. Two sources showed me the internal email, which I’m publishing in full below. Google declined to comment when I asked if the company plans to pay the new $100,000 per-year fee for H-1B applications or renewals.
Google’s employee memo mostly mirrors that of Microsoft’s, which also suggests that H-4 dependents stay in the US. “We understand this may create challenges, and we are here to support you,” Google’s employee notice reads.
Managers inside Google have been scrambling to reach their reports who are impacted and traveling. Google is one of the largest sponsors of H-1B visas in the country, according to federal data.
Here’s the email Google sent to employees with H-1B visas last night:
We are reaching out with an urgent update regarding international travel for individuals on H-1B visas.
A Proclamation is scheduled to take effect this Sunday at 12:01 AM ET. It introduces significant changes to re-entry procedures for H-1B visa holders currently outside the United States. We continue to review the Proclamation, but the initial advice we have received is that re-entry will require a mandatory payment of $100,000 per petition, which may cause substantial delays or prevent re-entry to the U.S.
What You Need to Know:
If you are currently outside the U.S.:
If you are currently outside the U.S. with a valid H-1B visa, make plans to return and enter the U.S. before the Proclamation takes effect on Sunday, September 21 at 12:01 am ET (i.e. by this Saturday night).
If you are currently in the U.S.:
We strongly advise against any international travel if you are in valid H-1B status or need to travel to activate your H-1B visa. You should remain in the U.S.
Departing the U.S. may result in complications or denial of re-entry under the new policy.
If you are unable to return prior to the deadline in H-1B status: please reach out to go/immigration-help.
We understand this may create challenges, and we are here to support you. We are actively monitoring the situation and will keep you updated as we learn more.