Trump reportedly set to sign order overhauling high-tech visa program used by Microsoft, Amazon

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

President Donald Trump on Monday will reportedly sign an executive order to overhaul the federal program that helps Microsoft, Amazon and many Puget Sound-area technology companies bring in highly skilled workers from around the world when they can’t fill job locally.

The overhaul, reported by Bloomberg, would be the latest in a series of Trump orders to restrict the U.S. immigration system. The draft proposal targets H-1B visas – which allows employers to bring in foreign workers to fill specialized U.S. jobs when they can’t find local workers with appropriate skills – and other visa programs, including the L-1 transfer visas.

“Our country’s immigration policies should be designed and implemented to serve, first and foremost, the U.S. national interest,” the draft proposal said, according to Bloomberg. “Visa programs for foreign workers … should be administered in a manner that protects the civil rights of American workers and current lawful residents, and that prioritizes the protection of American workers – our forgotten working people – and the jobs they hold.”

The report did not include specific details about how Trump plans to overhaul the programs. Right now, the number of H-1B visas granted in the U.S. each year is capped at 85,000. It's unclear whether the order would reduce the allowances.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2017/01/30/trump-reportedly-set-to-sign-order-overhauling.html?ana=e_tf&s=newsletter&ed=2017-01-30&u=ColXVN5SPzQtLHFP87ho2w07857290&t=1485823500&j=77234031

[C_U_L8R]

1. There go Peter Thiel's investments

Heckova job Trumpie.

[itsrobert]

2. I'm skeptical that they can't fill these jobs locally

They just want people to work for cheap.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Mixed feelings on that myself

From the article:

Unemployment rates are low for occupations with a large concentration of H-1B visas. A 2013 report from Regional Economic Models Inc. — a public policy forecasting group used by federal, state and local governments — found an increase in H-1B visas could create 1.3 million U.S. jobs and boost the country’s gross domestic product by $158 billion before 2045.


They at least need to expand college programs in STEM. There are waiting lists to get many of these.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Outsourcing here we come!

[beachbum bob]

5. H1-b been abused since inception... Perhaps the first good move

By trump. I have watch manufacturers in Midwest bring over mechanical engineers from India at 1/3rd the pay of US engineers...Was not for lack of US engineers...

[itsrobert]

6. +1

We will see.

[pscot]

7. i hate to concede anything to the mango Mussolini's credit

but it's about time this program was reined in