Trump H-1B proclamation unsettles Bengali communities in US amidst Durga Puja preparations

KOLKATA: US President Donald Trump’s H-1B proclamation on the eve of Mahalaya has ignited a storm within Indian and NRI Bengali communities across US cities, particularly among those in the IT sector. Preparations for next weekend’s Durga Puja (with some communities celebrating the following weekend on Oct 4-5) have been disrupted by the announcement.Although a clarification that the executive order would affect only new H-1B visa applications eased immediate concerns, many Indian Americans in senior positions within California, Tampa, and other US cities remain deeply worried about the proclamation’s medium and long-term effects. Bengalis represent 12-15% of H-1B visa applicants from India each year.