According to a recent New York Times article, the federal government is denying and delaying more and more work visas in an attempt to restrict the flow of foreign workers who are legally entering the U.S. As a result, hospitals, hotels, IT companies, and seasonal businesses are experiencing worker shortages like never before. Many businesses must have existing employees work more hours to get the job done, and some are being forced to curtail the services that it can offer and turn down business opportunities. Corporations fear that these difficulties in obtaining visas will cause more highly skilled foreign workers to relocate to Canada instead of the U.S., where government officials are continuing to welcome more foreign workers.
Back in 2017, the Trump administration endorsed legislation that would cut legal immigration in half. Thus far, however, Republicans have not advanced that proposal in Congress. Nonetheless, the current administration is taking all steps possible from an administrative and policymaking standpoint to stem the flow of legal immigration as much as possible.
U.S. Companies Claim Limiting Legal Immigration is Hurting Them
These delays and administrative snafus in obtaining visas for foreign workers, when combined with the nation’s low unemployment rates, has resulted in major worker shortages for all different types of businesses. If these trends continue, experts fear that the large numbers of Baby Boomers who will be retiring and leaving the workforce over the next several years will create an even more dire need for workers. This is the case for both highly skilled positions and lower skilled service industry positions, such as those providing elder care, child care, and cleaning services.
A group of corporate leaders, the Business Roundtable, has recently challenged the Trump administration over these changes, which they claim are leading to threats to American economic growth and competitiveness in the marketplace. They also fear an eventual exodus of highly skilled foreign workers from the U.S., who no longer may be able to meet the administration’s requirements. For its part, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) claims that it is merely trying to reform immigration into a “merit-based” system.
The Peek Law Group immigration lawyers are here to assist you with all of your immigration needs. Trust us to represent your interests and advise you of the best course of action in your situation. Set up an appointment to talk to us today and discover how we can assist you with your immigration case.