Tech Executives Slam Trump's Order Extending H-1B Visa Freeze

Tech executives have slammed the extension of the ban on foreign work visas by the Trump administration, which is expected to affect 525,000 jobs amid the high rate of unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The executives say immigrants helped the U.S. become a global leader in tech and the restrictions come at a wrong time.

The executive order signed Monday (June 22) by President Trump will extend the 60-day freeze on new work permits for non-U.S. citizens that was first imposed two months ago. The order applies to H-1B, H-2B, H-4, L-1 and certain J-1 visas.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted Monday that he was "disappointed" by the order.

“Immigration has contributed immensely to America's economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today's proclamation — we'll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all," Pichai posted.

Herrera-Flanigan, Twitter's head of public policy and philanthropy for the Americas, said in a statement Monday. "This proclamation undermines America's greatest economic asset: its diversity. Unilaterally and unnecessarily stifling America's attractiveness to global, high-skilled talent is short-sighted and deeply damaging to the economic strength of the United States."

The H-1B visas are mostly used by the tech industry to bring in immigrant talent, which they depend on heavily, while the J visas are used by academics and researchers, and the L visas are used by companies for intra-company transfer of employees.

Microsoft's Chief Counsel Brad Smith tweeted: "Now is not the time to cut our nation off from the world’s talent or create uncertainty and anxiety. Immigrants play a vital role at our company and support our country’s critical infrastructure. They are contributing to this country at a time when we need them most."

The new restrictions will come into effect on June 24, and are expected to block 219,000 temporary workers from entering the U.S., according to the Migration Policy Institute, a U.S. think tank.

Companies like Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Tesla, Microsoft and industry bodies, such as the Internet Association, Information Technology Industry Council and Information Technology Industry Council, have also strongly opposed the move, CNN reported.

The Internet Association said it "condemns" the order. The Association was founded in 2012 by companies including Google, Amazon, eBay, and Facebook.

Its Director of Social Impact Sean Perryman said in a statement: “IA condemns the administration’s latest executive order that will limit the number of high-skilled foreign workers from entering the country through the end of the year. The diverse and accomplished H-1B visa holders in the U.S. create American jobs and help our economy grow. All industries benefit from a visa system that allows U.S. companies to attract the best and brightest no matter where they’re from.”