Trump To Expand Coronavirus-Related Immigration Restrictions

The Trump administration will ban entry into the U.S. for foreigners on certain temporary work visas — including high-skilled H-1B visas — through the end of the year, senior administration officials told reporters Monday afternoon. From a report: The highly-anticipated immigration restrictions expand on President Trump’s earlier coronavirus-related immigration ban introduced in late April — which was also extended through the end of the year. Trump has leveraged emergency powers and economic concern from the coronavirus to slowly shut down large parts of the immigration system — even as he urges states to reopen. The administration also announced Monday that it is working toward permanent regulatory reforms that would crack down on H-1B visas and work permits for asylum seekers. The official said these steps could open up 525,000 U.S. jobs. In addition to H-1B visas often relied on by big U.S. tech companies, the restrictions on entry will also affect visas for H-1B spouses, non-agriculture worker H-2Bs visas, short-term workers on J-1 exchange visas, and L visas, which allow companies to transfer employees working overseas to U.S. offices. Further reading: Trump plan to ban H1-B will hurt Indian techies.