Trump suspends some foreign worker visas despite business opposition

Tuesday, 23 June 2020 08:48

The Trump administration has suspended some work visas for foreigners till the end of the year in a bid to revive a coronavirus-battered economy.

The order, signed by US President Donald Trump, will suspend H-1B visas for fields like technology and most H-2B visas for seasonal workers.

It will not affect applicants already in the US or those abroad who have already been issued a visa.

According to a senior administration official, the move, which kicks in on Wednesday, will open up 525,000 jobs for US workers.

However, major tech companies and the US Chamber of Commerce said it would stifle the economic recovery instead.

Some critics claim it is Trump' way of using the pandemic to push through his tough immigration plans ahead of the November elections.

More from International News

Israeli attacks on Gaza killed 60 people in 24 hours

Israeli occupation forces committed multiple massacres against families in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, resulting in the killing of at least 60 Palestinians and the injury of 162 others, according to medical reports.
Trump fires National Security Agency director

U.S. President Donald Trump fired General Timothy Haugh as director of the National Security Agency on Thursday, according to two officials familiar with the decision, and congressional Democrats denounced the removal of the nonpartisan official from a top security post.
Israel steps up Syria strikes, says Turkey aims for 'protectorate'

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, declaring the attacks a warning to the new rulers in Damascus as it accused their ally Turkey of trying to turn the country into a Turkish protectorate.
US sending Israel 20,000 assault rifles that Biden delayed

The Trump administration moved forward with the sale of more than 20,000 US-made assault rifles to Israel last month, according to a document seen by Reuters, pushing ahead with a sale that the administration of former president Joe Biden had delayed.