Trump targets visa program he says hurts American workers

[brassmonkey]

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) - Turning back to the economic populism that helped drive his election campaign, President Donald Trump signed an order Tuesday he said should help American workers whose jobs are threatened by skilled immigrants.



At the headquarters of hand and power tool manufacturer Snap-on Inc., Trump signed an order aimed at curbing what his administration says are hiring abuses in a visa program used by U.S. technology companies. Dubbed "Buy American and Hire American," the directive follows a series of recent Trump reversals on economic policies.

"We are going to defend our workers, protect our jobs and finally put America first, Trump declared, standing in front of an American flag fashioned out of wrenches. Much like some prior orders, however, Trump's executive action Tuesday essentially looks for detailed reports rather than making decisive changes. In this case, the reports are about granting visas for highly skilled foreign workers and ensuring that government purchasing programs buy American made goods as required by law.

Trump chose to sign the directive at Snap-on Inc., based in Wisconsin, a state he narrowly carried in November on the strength of support from white, working-class voters. Trump currently has only a 41 percent approval rating in the state.

He campaigned last year on promises to overhaul U.S. trade and regulatory policy, but his executive orders on those issues reflect the administration bowing somewhat to the limits of presidential power. Also, he has recently reversed several populist promises, including standing up to China, which he contended was manipulating its currency and stealing American jobs, and eliminating the Export-Import Bank, which he billed as wasteful subsidy.

But Trump returned to Tuesday to the economic tough talk of his campaign, saying: "We're going to make some very big changes or we are going to get rid of NAFTA for once and for all," referring to the Clinton-era U.S. trade pact with Canada and Mexico.

In his new directive, the president is targeting the H-1B visa program, which the White House says undercuts U.S. workers by bringing in large numbers of cheaper, foreign workers and driving down wages. The tech industry has argued that the H-1B program is needed because it encourages students to stay in the U.S. after getting degrees in high-tech specialties - and because companies can't always find enough American workers with the skills they need.

The new order would direct U.S. agencies to propose rules to prevent immigration fraud and abuse in the program. They would also be asked to offer changes so that H-1B visas are awarded to the "most-skilled or highest-paid applicants.

The number of requests for H-1B visas declined this year by about 15 percent, or roughly 37,000 applications, but the total was still nearly 200,000, far more than the 85,000 limit. Tuesday's order also seeks to strengthen requirements that American-made products be used in certain federal construction projects, as well as in various grant-funded transportation projects. The commerce secretary is to review how to close loopholes in existing rules and provide recommendations to the president. The order asks for a review of waivers of these rules in free-trade agreements.

The trip brought Trump to the congressional district of House Speaker Paul Ryan, but Ryan was out of the country on a congressional trip. The president was greeted by Gov. Scott Walker outside Snap-on's headquarters.

During his remarks, Trump weighed in on another economic issue, promising to find a solution to a trade dispute with Canada that has left dairy farmers in Wisconsin and New York without a market they had for their product.

Trump said Canada has been "very, very unfair" to dairy farmers and "we're going to start working on that." Canada has decided to impose import taxes on ultra-filtered milk, a protein liquid concentrate used to make cheese. It had been duty free but Canada changed course after milk producers there complained. About 70 dairy producers in both U.S. states are affected.

As for the visa program, Democratic lawmakers and organizations ranging from the pro-business Chamber of Commerce to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation say they welcome proposals to improve the visa program, though not always in line with Trump's ideas.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., urged Trump to skip further study and support her bill to rebuild U.S. infrastructure with American iron and steel. The Chamber of Commerce added that it would be a "mistake to close the door on high-skilled workers" who can contribute to the growth and expansion of American businesses and make the U.S. more competitive around the world.

Trump has long pledged to support American goods and workers, but his own business record is mixed. Many Trump-branded products, like clothing, are made overseas. His businesses have also hired foreign workers, including at his Palm Beach, Florida, club.

Snap-on makes hand and power tools, diagnostics software, information and management systems, and shop equipment for use in various industries, including agriculture, the military and aviation. It has 10 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and says its total employment worldwide is 12,100. Of those, about 6,700 are in the U.S. and roughly 3,000 of them are manufacturing jobs.

During the tour, Trump was shown metal boxes where cremated ashes are deposited. He called it "very depressing."


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[Bladewire]

Trump to sign executive order targeting foreign workers, but not the ones he uses at Mar-a-Lago


#FuckTrump

[MiamiBoyz]

At this point he just makes shit up and sees if anyone will notice or even care.

Most do not. I include myself in that group. I voted for him to do exactly what he is doing...fucking up an already dysfunctional government in a way that is obvious to anyone with 1/2 a brain (counts the most of the country out right there) and to bring the spiraling decline of this trashcan down even faster!

Thank You President Trump! God Speed

[Barry-xlovecam]

Most of those jobs will just be offshored except for Federal contracted IT work -- that will just cost the taxpayer more. Are there any winners in this game? I doubt it.

Sounds great to the average coal miner ...

[Bladewire]

Facebook Gives Staff Green Light to Join May 1 Political Protests

[crockett]

Meanwhile Trump staffs his resorts with foreign workers he brings in on visas. Trump always says one thing while doing the other.. His clothing is still made in China btw.. He hasn't even brought his own jobs back..

[Horatio Caine]

Brassmonkey thinks that if high-skilled H-1B Indians and Eastern Europeans leave, he will get the call Irwin Jones, I have news for you, there is very little demand for sig whores and joomla installers in corporate IT world.

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by crockett

Meanwhile Trump staffs his resorts with foreign workers he brings in on visas. Trump always says one thing while doing the other.. His clothing is still made in China btw.. He hasn't even brought his own jobs back..

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

Drumpf to sign executive order targeting foreign workers, but not the ones he uses at Mar-a-Lago


#FuckTrump

LOL. More of the same.

"Buy American" but his daughter has all of her shit made in China.

[Rochard]

Seems about right.

[pimpmaster9000]

I can envision Trump sitting next to a laptop googling with one finger "how to fix economy?" "where is Korea?" "Why are my hands tiny?"

[bronco67]

He has all the solutions for all of the non-existent problems we have.

[DraX]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

I can envision Trump sitting next to a laptop googling with one finger "how to fix economy?" "where is Korea?" "Why are my hands tiny?"

Yea I guess he is the first president without any advisors or staff.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by DraX

Yea I guess he is the first president without any advisors or staff.

This seems to be the case. Nearly half of the positions that are normally filled before a President takes office have still not been filled. It seems Trump's transition team had no idea how many people they need to hire.

[MrMaxwell]

There's a decent exchange between Tucker Carlson and Cuban about this I had seen
Almost a productive conversation believe me or not

[MrMaxwell]

PROOF: