DNC on Trump’s 45% Increase In Visas for Foreign Workers

In response to news the Trump administration will allow a 45% increase in visas for temporary foreign workers, DNC deputy communications director Adrienne Watson said the following:

“This is just the latest example of Trump’s empty and hypocritical views on American jobs. He says we need to ‘hire American,’ but he continues to hire foreign workers to staff his own hotels and golf courses, and now he’s increased the number of temporary foreign workers – the same workers he uses at his properties – by 45 percent.  He says we need to ’buy American,’  but he manufactured his branded products overseas.  Trump is all talk when it comes to the needs of American workers and businesses.” 

 

Washington Post: Trump officials open border to 15,000 more foreign workers

The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced a one-time increase of 15,000 additional visas for low-wage, seasonal workers for the remainder of this fiscal year, a seeming about-face from President Trump's “Hire American” rhetoric, following heavy lobbying from the fisheries, hospitality and other industries that rely on temporary foreign workers.

The increase represents a 45 percent bump from the number of H-2B visas normally issued for the second half of the fiscal year, said senior Homeland Security officials in a call with reporters Monday.

The visas are for workers taking temporary jobs in the seafood, tourism, landscaping, construction and other seasonal industries — but not farm laborers.

Businesses must first attest that their firms would suffer permanent “irreparable harm” without importing foreign workers, and will be required to retain documents proving that they would not otherwise be able to meet their contractual obligations, the officials said.

(MORE)