Totaling about 4,000, they began working Wednesday. They'll face two historic challenges: the coronavirus pandemic and some of the most restrictive immigration policies the U.S. has seen in decades.
Last year, Indians received 72% of H-1B visas. Thousands who'd planned to come to the U.S. this year must scrap or delay their plans. But some suggest the freeze may work to India's advantage.
The sweeping restrictions would make it easier for immigration judges to reject asylum requests and harden the categories of people who face persecution.
Even with stringent lockdowns, the coronavirus has spread through migrant communities in some Middle Eastern countries where foreign workers live in cramped quarters.
As COVID-19 spreads in detention, ICE documents shared with NPR reveal new details about the health care provided to two immigrants who died in 2017. Those facilities now face coronavirus outbreaks.
Colombian officials say 12,000 Venezuelans have taken buses back to their home country since Colombia imposed restrictions to stop the coronavirus outbreak. Many other Venezuelans are fleeing on foot.