Trump to suspend visas for certain foreign workers through year-end

U.S. President Donald Trump is temporarily suspending H-1B and other types of visas for certain foreign workers through the end of the year. The move is painted as freeing up jobs while the U.S. economy reels from the coronavirus pandemic, despite strong opposition from many businesses.

A senior official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity estimated the move would open up 525,000 jobs for American workers.

The presidential proclamation, issued on Monday, will extend a ban on green cards issued outside the U.S. until the end of the year. It also adds many temporary work visas to the freeze, including the H-1B visas, which allow employers to hire foreign workers with specialised knowledge and are used heavily by technology companies and multinational corporations.

Major tech companies and other businesses oppose the recent restrictions, arguing that the move would stifle the economy as the U.S. recovers from the pandemic.

Trump’s proclamation is not expected to have a large immediate effect, as many U.S. consulates remain shut for most routine visa processing, Reuters said.