'To protect Americans': US tightens rules for issuing work visas

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced changes to the H-1B work visa program. The innovation, according to the department, is aimed at protecting American workers. This is stated in the message on the website. DHS.

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The H-1B program is designed to enable employers to fill gaps in their workforce and remain competitive in the global economy. However, now DHS estimates it has expanded much further than that, often to the detriment of workers in the United States.

Department figures show that more than half a million H-1B visa recipients in the United States have taken American jobs. This resulted in lower wages in a number of industries in the US labor market and stagnation in wages in some occupations. To avoid repeating and expanding this problem, DHS has created new rules.

“We have entered an era when economic security is an integral part of national security. Simply put, economic security is the security of the country. In response, we must do everything within our power and within the bounds of the law to put American workers first,” said Acting DHS Administrator Chad Wolf. “The Department of Homeland Security is honored to take this important step toward putting Americans first and continuing President Trump’s agenda to secure our economy.”

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This rule, according to the department's plan, would discourage the use of H-1B recipients as an inexpensive substitute for skilled American workers.

Results of the new rule:

• it will narrow down the definition of "professional" by moving away from the overly broad definition that allowed companies to beat the system;
• companies will be forced to make “real” job offers (that is, where there are vacancies) to “real employees”, which will help close loopholes and prevent American layoffs;
• DHS will enforce compliance through workplace inspections and compliance monitoring before, during, and after the H1-B petition is approved.

This rule takes effect 60 days after it is posted in the Federal Register.

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa for temporary employment in the United States as a professional. The professional specialty requires the theoretical and practical application of a certain amount of specialized knowledge, supported by at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. For example, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physics, sociology, medicine and health care, education, business, accounting, jurisprudence, theology, etc. are professional majors.

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