Could an Executive Order on H-1B Visas Keep US Workers First?
We have lived through three immigration executive orders issued by President Trump in the last week. There are drafts of others floating about. The title of one of the putative executive orders — “Protecting American Jobs and Workers by Strengthening the Integrity of Foreign Worker Visa Programs” — offers a glimpse of the president’s intentions. Section 1 states that its purpose is as follows:
“Our country’s immigration policies should be designed and implemented to serve, first and foremost, the U.S. national interest. In particular, visa programs for foreign workers, as well as all the other lawful methods of admission to our country and authorize foreign nationals to work here, 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.” (emphasis added).
I analyze the draft executive order in this National Law Journal (registration required) commentary.
KJ