President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to look at tightening a temporary visa programme used to bring high-skilled foreign workers to the United States, as he tries to carry out his campaign pledges to put “America First.”
Trump signed an executive order on enforcing and reviewing the H-1B visa, popular in the technology industry, on a visit to the headquarters of a tool manufacturer in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In the document, known to the White House as the “Buy American and Hire American” order, Trump also seeks changes in government procurement that would boost purchases of American products in federal contracts, with one aim being to help U.S. steelmakers.
The moves show Trump once again using his power to issue executive orders to try to fulfill promises he made last year in his election campaign, in this case to reform U.S. immigration policies and encourage purchases of American products.
Senior officials gave few details on implementation of the order but Trump aides have expressed concern that most H-1B visas are awarded for lower-paid jobs at outsourcing firms, many based in India, which they say takes work away from Americans.
