June 23, 2020

Covid ’19: Trump Suspends H-1B Visas, Others

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By Kolawole Ojebisi

U.S President Donald Trump has suspended the issuance of H-1B visas with other foreign work visas for the rest of the year.

The suspension, which will come into effect on June 24, was said by Trump that it will help protect local jobs.

Trumps who is seeking second term in office at the Oval Office is facing economic crisis as the Covid-19 triggered lockdown has led to record unemployment levels in the country. U.S President Donald Trump

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According to Bureau of Labour Statistics over 45 million people have filed for unemployment claims since March, when the US went into lockdown to tackle the pandemic.

H-1B visas, which are for skilled employees, and L visas, for managers and specialised workers being transferred within a company.

Trump also blocked those entering on H-2B seasonal worker visas, which are used by landscapers and other industries.

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While the May rate of 13.3% reflects a marked decline from April, millions of Americans remain out of work.

Trump,who won the first term, among other factors, on the back of the Antoni migration rhetoric, said the entry of additional workers through the H-1B, J and L nonimmigrant visa programmes presents a significant threat to employment opportunities for Americans.

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The new rule, however, would apply only to those who are outside the U.S., do not have a valid non-immigrant visa and an official travel document other than a visa to enter the country.

According to the proclamation of the suspension, it does not have an impact on lawful permanent residents of the United States and foreign nationals who are spouses or child of an American citizen.

The president, however, spared OP-STEM student work visa which is for students who are pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees in US universities.

The visa suspension will open up 525,000 jobs for U.S. workers, a senior administration official said on a call with reporters.

The official did not expatiate on his source for figures