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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Trump targets foreign workers with new visa freeze | Trump targets foreign workers with new visa freeze |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US President Donald Trump has extended a pause on some green cards and suspended visas for other foreign workers until the end of 2020. | US President Donald Trump has extended a pause on some green cards and suspended visas for other foreign workers until the end of 2020. |
| High-skilled tech workers, non-agricultural seasonal helpers, au pairs and top executives will be affected. | High-skilled tech workers, non-agricultural seasonal helpers, au pairs and top executives will be affected. |
| The White House said the move will create jobs for Americans hurting economically due to the pandemic. | The White House said the move will create jobs for Americans hurting economically due to the pandemic. |
| But critics say the White House is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to tighten up immigration laws. | But critics say the White House is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to tighten up immigration laws. |
| Who's affected? | Who's affected? |
| In a briefing for reporters, the administration said the freeze, in place through the end of the year, would impact about 525,000 people. | In a briefing for reporters, the administration said the freeze, in place through the end of the year, would impact about 525,000 people. |
| That includes an estimated 170,000 people blocked by the decision to extend a ban on some new green cards - which grants permanent residence to foreigners. The White House first announced it was halting those visas in April, an order that had been set to expire on Monday. | That includes an estimated 170,000 people blocked by the decision to extend a ban on some new green cards - which grants permanent residence to foreigners. The White House first announced it was halting those visas in April, an order that had been set to expire on Monday. |
| Existing visa holders are not expected to be affected under the new restrictions announced on Monday. | Existing visa holders are not expected to be affected under the new restrictions announced on Monday. |
| The order also applies to H-1B visas, many of which are granted to Indian tech workers. Critics say these visas have allowed Silicon Valley companies to outsource American jobs to lower-paid foreign employees. Last year, there were about 225,000 applications competing for 85,000 spots available through the H1-B visa programme. | |
| The order will suspend most H-2B visas for seasonal workers, including those in the hospitality industry, except those in agriculture, the food processing industry and healthcare professionals. | The order will suspend most H-2B visas for seasonal workers, including those in the hospitality industry, except those in agriculture, the food processing industry and healthcare professionals. |
| The order will restrict J-1 short-term exchange visas, a category that includes university students and foreign au pairs who provide childcare. Professors and scholars are not included in the order. There will be a provision to request exemptions. | The order will restrict J-1 short-term exchange visas, a category that includes university students and foreign au pairs who provide childcare. Professors and scholars are not included in the order. There will be a provision to request exemptions. |
| L visas for managers and other key employees of multinational corporations will also be suspended. | L visas for managers and other key employees of multinational corporations will also be suspended. |
| What's the reaction? | What's the reaction? |
| The aim is to get "the best and the brightest" and "the most value for our economy," a senior official said on the background call. | The aim is to get "the best and the brightest" and "the most value for our economy," a senior official said on the background call. |
| Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favours restrictions, told AP news agency: "This is a bold move by the Trump administration to protect American jobs." | Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favours restrictions, told AP news agency: "This is a bold move by the Trump administration to protect American jobs." |
| But the American Civil Liberties Union said: "It's the exploitation of a pandemic to reshape immigration law, while superseding Congress." | But the American Civil Liberties Union said: "It's the exploitation of a pandemic to reshape immigration law, while superseding Congress." |
| The new policy is also opposed by many businesses, which rely on foreign workers. | The new policy is also opposed by many businesses, which rely on foreign workers. |
| "As the economy rebounds, American businesses will need assurances that they can meet all their workforce needs," the Chamber of Commerce wrote in a letter this month warning against new restrictions. | "As the economy rebounds, American businesses will need assurances that they can meet all their workforce needs," the Chamber of Commerce wrote in a letter this month warning against new restrictions. |
| "To that end, it is crucial that they have access to talent both domestically and from around the world." | "To that end, it is crucial that they have access to talent both domestically and from around the world." |