A bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) seeks to combat abuse of the nation’s immigration worker system and emphasize the hiring of American workers over foreign H-1B and L-1 visa applicants.
According to a release, the “H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act” would prioritize American-educated visa applicants and other advanced degree holders in the United States during the awarding process. The bill also bars the replacement of American workers by H-1B or L-1 visa holders.
Additionally, Tuberville’s legislation would crack down on corporations that exploit the immigration worker programs to deprive Americans of high-skilled jobs. If enacted, the bill would provide enhanced authority to the U.S. Department of Labor to investigate program abuse, as well as to penalize corporations that partake in fraudulent conduct.
In a statement announcing the legislation, Tuberville advised that the nation’s present immigration system is ripe for fraud and asserted that the interests of American workers should take precedent over those of foreign nationals.
“For too long, loopholes in our immigration system have been exploited to find cheap labor at the expense of the American worker. That must change,” declared the senator. “This legislation will crack down on the manipulation of existing vulnerabilities to ensure employers prioritize the American worker before considering any high-skilled foreign applicants. If we are going to get our economy back up and running, we need to do it correctly and that begins with utilizing the talent we have here at home first and foremost.”
Tuberville joined U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (R-Ill.) in introducing the bill.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.