Trump’s new order restricting work visas

The Trump administration has always been focused on reducing mass immigration. This includes legal immigration based on visas issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

During the past three years, President Donald Trump has implemented multiple restrictions and requirements to foreigners that want to migrate to the US. He assures that immigration is positive when it is measured, but that it becomes harmful when it is excessive.

Nowadays, the outbreak of Coronavirus in the North American territory allowed the current administration to implement more restrictions in certain sectors of immigration.

For instance, the President recently announced the suspension of work visas (mainly H-1B visas for qualified foreign workers) until the end of the year. This emergency measure is intended to protect the jobs available for American citizens.

This government decision sparked a gigantic controversy in the US because foreign workforce has been paramount to the local market for decades. Thus, multiple companies have already declared a shortage of skilled workforce due to this presidential proclamation.

Now, the Trump administration is announcing new restrictions on H-1B work visas, only this time it is specifically targeting federal entities.

The executive order “Hire American”

On Monday, August 3, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order called “Hire American”, which states that all federal and government entities must prioritize American employees before requesting H-1B visas.

This order also states that:

• Federal entities must hire local personnel before hiring services in foreign territories.
• All federal agencies must conduct an internal audit to ensure that local workforce prevails over foreign workforce.

With this emergency measure, the President intends to:

• Support the local population and American workers during the current juncture.
• Reduce the unemployment rate generated by the global pandemic.

The reason why the current government decided to sign this executive order is because the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a US company that provides electricity to seven states in the country, planned to hire at least 20% of its technology specialists from abroad.

Therefore, President Trump assures that TVA betrayed American workers during the health crisis and he wants to continue to protect the local population.

This government decision could leave dozens of foreign skilled workers, who offer their  services to federal agencies, in limbo. On top of that, because the immigration processes are behind schedule, it would be more difficult for them to be able to stay in the US if they lose their jobs.

Do you have a Business Immigration case? Contact Motion Law Immigration and get your FREE Telephone Consultation.

Do you need to send an immigration application?

In light of recent changes implemented in the US immigration sector, the most appropriate decision is to follow experts’ advice to avoid possible rejection of your application.

In this way, you can prepare the necessary documentation with the constant accompaniment of specialists who are up to date with current immigration policies.

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