A group of Republican senators is pushing for the suspension of guest worker visas until the nation’s unemployment numbers return to pre-coronavirus levels.
Sens. Tom Cotton, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, and Chuck Grassley sent a letter to President Trump on Thursday asking him to pause any new guest worker visas, which temporarily hire foreign citizens to work in the United States, for 60 days. For others, the group is requesting a suspension for up to a year or until unemployment returns to “normal levels,” according to Politico, which first obtained the letter.
“These suspensions are critical to protecting American workers as our economy gets back on its feet,” the letter reads.
More than 33 million people filed for unemployment benefits in the wake of the pandemic. Last week alone, 3.2 million laid-off workers applied for benefits.
The request specifically asks for the halt of H-2B visas, which allow nonagricultural seasonal workers to come to the U.S.; H-1B visas reserved for specialty occupation workers or highly skilled applicants; the Optional Practical Training program, which extends visas for foreign students after their graduation; and the EB-5 visa with which an immigrant can become a green card holder by investing in American business.
“There is no reason why unemployed Americans and recent college graduates should have to compete in such a limited job market against an influx of additional H1-B workers,” the letter reads.
Trump halted new green cards in April but exempted students and guest workers. If these new conditions are met, it’s expected to curb the immigration system greatly.
