President Donald Trump’s this week unveiled a number of new restrictions on visas for temporary foreign workers going to the USA. He said in his proclamation that the COVID-19 pandemic has damaged the US employment sector.
There are some exceptions though , and officials say they will come up with standards to let in people experienced in treating Covid-19 patients or conducting research to help the US combat the pandemic.
Here’s a look at what kind of jobs are included in Trump’s proclamation, and how many people could be affected in each visa category.
H-1B visa
What it is: According to USCIS, the H-1B visa category covers individuals who “work in a specialty occupation, engage in cooperative research and development projects administered by the U.S. Department of Defense, or are fashion models that have national or international acclaim and recognition.”
What kind of work these visas cover: The H-1B is most well known as a visa for skilled tech workers, but workers in other industries, like health care and the media, have also been known to use these visas.
How many people could be affected: 29,000, according to MPI’s estimates, plus some 19,000 dependents on H-4 visas.
H-2B visa
What it is: According to USCIS, the H-2B program allows US employers or agents “to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs.”
What kind of work these visas cover: They generally apply to seasonal workers in a wide variety of industries, according to the National Immigration Forum, including landscaping, forestry, hospitality and construction.
How many people could be affected: 23,000, according to MPI.
J-1 visa
What it is: According to the State Department, the J-1 visa is an exchange visitor visa for “individuals approved to participate in work- and study-based exchange visitor programs.”
What kind of work these visas cover: Trump’s proclamation lists a number of impacted workers, including interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors, au pairs and participants in summer work travel programs.
How many people could be affected: 72,000, according to MPI (plus some 11,000 dependents on J-2 visas).
L-1 visa
What it is: According to USCIS, the L visa category covers “temporary intracompany transferees who work in managerial positions or have specialized knowledge.”
What kind of work these visas cover: Managers, executives and employees with specialized knowledge.
How many people could be affected: 6,000, according to MPI (plus some 7,000 dependents on L-2 visas).