US President Donald Trump on Monday plans to sign an executive order that would bar federal agencies from dismissing US citizens or green card holders and replacing them with foreign workers.
The order will increase scrutiny of federal contractors’ use of H-1B visas to bring in temporary foreign labor for high-skilled jobs rather than relying on American workers, according to an administration official, who asked for anonymity to discuss plans not yet public.
The Covid-19 recession has thrown millions of Americans out of work, with uncertain prospects for a recovery given continued surges in virus case counts in many states.
With the President running behind Democrat Joe Biden in polls ahead of November’s election, Trump’s move would showcase actions to support jobs. The administration also remains in talks with Democrats about extending extra jobless benefits.
Trump’s order will require federal agencies to give preference to US residents and green card holders for contract positions, just as they would for full-time roles, the official said. The order will also prompt a study to determine how many federal jobs are held by foreign visa holders.
The action was prompted by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s June announcement that it’s laying off 62 information technology workers as the federal power agency outsources data and programming work, the official said.
The President plans to encourage TVA to halt the layoffs and outsourcing, the official said. TVA didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The Trump administration is working on other changes to the H-1B visa program that may be announced in coming weeks, the official also said.
