A proclamation from Donald Trump temporarily suspended H1-B and H-4 visas, which are used by those working in technology and their families. The recently passed order also bans L visas used or intracompany transfers along with J visas that are used for work- and study-abroad programs, including au pairs.
On June 22, Donald Trump signed an order that temporarily restricts access to several employment-based visas, affecting thousands of people looking for jobs in the United States. The technology industry claims the decision will hurt the economy as the order halts new H1-B and H-4 visas that are used by those associated with technology jobs and their families.
Moreover, the L visas are used for intracompany transfers, while J visas for work- and study-abroad programs, such as au pairs. As expected, the technology sector isn't pleased with the president's decision to temporarily ban the availability of these employment-based visas.
Aside from that, the order restricts the issuance of new green cards until the end of the year. Seasonal workers that use H2-B visas will also be halted, with an exception for those working in the food-processing industry, a senior administration official told reporters on June 22.
Tech behemoths Amazon and Twitter deemed the move as short-sighted, claiming immigrant tech labor could make a significant contribution to the economic recovery of the United States. Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai took to his Twitter handle to express disappointment and show support for immigrants while ensuring efforts to make the opportunity available for all.
Trump's action comes as the United States experiences an unemployment rate of 13.3 percent following businesses either closing down or reducing staff in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. It is worth noting that the president's order will not apply to immigrant workers who already have the visas.
Trump's order points out that during these unprecedented times have led to economic contraction, adding that certain nonimmigrant visa programs that authorize such employment jeopardize the employment opportunities of American workers. During an interview with Fox News, Trump said he wants American people to get the jobs that would normally go to people holding the visas.
The president believes the order will make American people looking for jobs happy, adding that it is common sense. Trump revealed that he planned to temporarily ban immigration into the country via a tweet. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Information Technology Industry Council, and other Industry groups wrote to Trump to inform that the move will disrupt business and hinder growth.
The United States issued over 900,000 visas in 2019 in the categories, the president plans to halt. The Trump administration has tried to restrict the H-1B program in the past few years.