President Donald Trump issued an executive order on June 22 restricting access to visas used by professional workers. The Society for Human Resource Management encourages the administration and Congress to work with stakeholders to advance policies that will contribute to the U.S. economy.
“We’re encouraged the Optional Practical Training [OPT] program—a crucial workforce development tool—was excluded from the executive order signed last week,” said Emily M. Dickens, SHRM corporate secretary, chief of staff and head of Government Affairs. “However, new restrictions placed on H-1B, H-2B, J and L visa categories will negatively impact access to much-needed global talent pools instead of strengthening the country’s workforce.”
Learn more about SHRM’s efforts in support of the OPT by visiting shrm.org/opt.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on June 18.
“Even with a job market in flux, our country continues to face a skills gap. As we pivot to reskilling and upskilling the unemployed, it remains a business imperative that we keep in the talent pool all workers educated and trained in the U.S. so that their needed skills can contribute to the American economy,” Dickens said.
“This U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the DACA program helps us meet a critical talent need in our workplaces. We now urge Congress to pass bipartisan solutions that provide critical talent, protect American workers and modernize workplace immigration.”