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They also requested the suspension of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program that allows foreign students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to work in the United States for up to three years after graduation. In 2019, more than 223,000 people had their OPTs approved or extended.
They also want the EB-5 investor visa program to be suspended.
“These suspensions are critical to protecting American workers as our economy recovers,” Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Charles E Grassly and Tom Cotton wrote in a letter to Trump on Thursday.
ET has reviewed a copy of the letter.
However, senators want the rules to be relaxed to allow more doctors and nurses to enter to save the shortage of health professionals in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
About a fifth of the nation’s total workforce, or 33 million Americans, have applied for unemployment benefits in the past seven weeks as the pandemic paralyzes the American economy.
In February, unemployment in the United States was at a record low of 3.5%.
Trump, who took office on an anti-immigration board, is seeking a second term in elections scheduled for November.
Senators also asked Trump to suspend all new guest worker visas for a period of 60 days and more.
suspend certain visa categories until unemployment reaches normal levels.
The letter argues that there is no reason to allow nearly a million guest workers to enter the United States each year when local unemployment rates are so high.
If Trump accepts the proposal, Indian tech workers would be hit hardest, as Indian citizens take into account
two-thirds of H-1B visas issued each year.
Stopping the influx of new H-1B visa holders would help protect those already in the US. USA With those visas and their families in case they lose their jobs, the letter noted. In the event of losing a job, H1-B visa holders must leave the country within 60 days.
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