Trump signs executive order against hiring H1B visa holders for federal contracts
Context:
- Donald Trump has signed an executive order preventing federal agencies from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers — mainly those on H-1B visas.
Background:
- The move comes over a month after the Trump administration suspended the H-1B visas, along with other types of foreign work visas, until the end of 2020 to protect American workers in a crucial election year.
- The new restrictions took effect from June 24. Mr. Trump’s order follows an announcement by the federally owned Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) that it would outsource 20% of its technology jobs to companies based in foreign countries.
H1B Visa:
- The H-1B is a visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101(a) (15) (H) that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
- A specialty occupation requires the application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or the equivalent of work experience.
- The duration of stay is three years, extendable to six years; after which the visa holder may need to reapply.
- Laws limit the number of H-1B visas that are issued each year: 188,100 new and initial H-1B visas were issued in 2019.
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