International Desk: US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a presidential proclamation that temporarily blocks foreign workers entering the country on H-1B visas for skilled employees,J-1 visas for cultural exchange and L visas, for managers and specialized workers being transferred within a company. The President also suspended H-2B seasonal worker visas, used by landscapers and other industries.
This move blocks the entry of certain workers into the United States. According to the White House, the move would help the corona virus-battered economy of the country.
According to a senior administration officer, the visa suspension is set to open up 525,000 jobs for US workers.
US President Donald Trump has directed his administration to reform the H-1B visa system and move in the direction of merit-based immigration, White House officials have said. The reforms will ensure that jobs go to those who are paid the highest wages and America gets the best and brightest talent, officials added.
The suspension however will not affect those already in the United States, as well as valid visa holders abroad, but they must have an official travel document that permits entry into the United States. The food supply chain workers and people whose entry is deemed in the national interest are also exempted.
However, business groups including major tech companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly oppose the move. According to them the visa suspension would stifle the economic recovery after the damage done by the pandemic.
The visa suspension is set to start on Wednesday and will continue till the year end.
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