US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 3 that prevents federal agencies from employing H-1B workers in a bid to save American jobs.
“This executive order will help prevent federal agencies from unfairly replacing American workers with low-cost foreign labour,” Trump said in the order.
The order will require all federal agencies to complete an internal audit and assess whether they are in compliance with the requirement that only United States citizens and nationals are appointed to the competitive service.
The order follows the federally-owned Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) announcement that it will outsource 20 percent of its technology jobs to companies based in foreign countries.
“TVA’s action could cause more than 200 highly-skilled American tech workers in Tennessee to lose their jobs to low-wage, foreign workers hired on temporary work visas,” the order explained. It would cost the local economy millions of the dollars over the next five years, Trump said in the order.
Capgemini was awarded the $15 million contract by TVA in September 2019. Other firms that got the order from TVA, include Accenture and Canadian firm CGI. According to reports, this was at the cost of American workers.
This further reiterates the Trump administration’s stand on H-1B and other guest worker visas that steal American jobs. On July 31, federal departments and immigration agency joined hands to investigate potential H-1B frauds.
In June, a proclamation banning H-1B and other temporary work visa was issued to address unemployment in the US at the back of pandemic.