President Trump Signs ‘Buy American and Hire American’ Executive Order

On April 18, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Buy American and Hire American. The order rigorously enforces and administers the laws governing entry into the United States of foreign workers. The changes indicated in the order are aimed at discouraging the use of foreign labor which, according to the President, displaces U.S. workers and reduces wages.

Along with other provisions, the order directs federal agencies to destroy fraud and abuse in the H-1B visa program. In particular, it requires the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to “propose new rules and issue new guidance, to supersede or revise previous rules and guidance if appropriate, to protect the interests of United States workers in the administration of our immigration system, including through the prevention of fraud or abuse.” The order also mentions that the H-1B visas should be “awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries”.

To read more information on the order, follow this link.