The White House has drafted an executive order (EO) to suspend certain work visas for overseas hires to protect American workers and job seekers.

Donald Trump
(Photo : Reuters Connect)
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on the reopening of small businesses in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S.

The Trump administration is reportedly looking into suspending J-1 visas or other cultural or work exchange programs, according to CNBC News. 

This move was to make sure that American citizens will be prioritized in getting jobs in the country as the number of unemployment rate rose to more than 13 percent following the nationwide lockdown.

In a report by The Guardian, it said that over 45 million workers have filed unemployment claims over the past three months as businesses across the country temporarily closed, while others decided to shut down their operations permanently due to the economic devastation brought by the global pandemic. 

J-1 Visa or known as the exchange visitor visa falls under the non-immigrant visa category and is approved for individuals to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs, according to the website of U.S. Exchange Visitor Program.   

When Will The EO Be Implemented?

The NBC New York reported that the White House has yet to finalize its decision about the policy.

However, it said that the Trump administration will decide on the policy within the week or before the campaign rally of Trump in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday.

Stephen Miller, U.S. President Donald Trump's advisor, has repeatedly pushed for crackdowns on immigration together with Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli.

Once implemented, the EO will affect hundreds of thousands of people from travel and restaurant industries and other sectors relying on temporary work visas.

Other Visas Trump Considers to Suspend

Trump is also considering to suspend the H-1B high-skilled visa that is mostly applied by Indian IT professionals.

According to a report by the Economic Times, the proposed suspension could bar any new H-1B holder outside the country from going to work in the U.S.

"The administration is currently evaluating a wide range of options, formulated by career experts, to protect American workers and job seekers especially disadvantaged and underserved citizens - but no decisions of any kind have been made," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said.

Aside from the H-1B, the H-2B visa for seasonal or short-term workers and L-1 visa for internal company transfers might also be suspended.

But in his letter to Trump, U.S. Chambers of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue said "American businesses will need assurances that they can meet all their workforce needs. To that end, it is crucial that they have access to talent both domestically and from around the world."