Why is the US proposing a sudden crackdown on H-1B tech workers?

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing a proposal that could eliminate the 60-day grace period currently granted to foreign workers, particularly those on H-1B visas. Introduced in 2017, this grace period allows laid-off workers a two-month window to find a new employer or transition to a different visa category. If revoked, Indian IT professionals—who comprise the vast majority of H-1B holders—would face immediate deportation upon job loss. This policy change would inject massive instability into the US tech job market, which has already seen significant restructuring and layoffs over the past year. For the Indian IT sector, which relies heavily on deploying talent to the US, this regulatory shift could disrupt client deliveries and deter skilled professionals from seeking overseas assignments, ultimately impacting bilateral remittance flows and corporate hiring strategies.