President Trump Signs Executive Order on Use of Foreign Workers by Federal Agencies

President Trump today signed an executive order meant to protect American workers and prevent US federal agencies from outsourcing jobs to foreign workers. The executive order directs federal agencies to conduct an internal audit to review contracts and hiring practices to assess any negative impact and effect of contractors’ use of temporary foreign labor or offshore work on US workers and to take corrective action as necessary. The executive order additionally directs the Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security to take action, within forty-five days, to “protect United States workers from any adverse effects on wages and working conditions caused by the employment of H-1B visa holders at job sites (including third-party job sites), including measures to ensure that all employers of H-1B visa holders, including secondary employers, adhere to the requirements of section 212(n)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)).” The executive action was reportedly prompted by the announcement from the federally-owned Tennessee Valley Authority that it will lay off sixty-two information technology workers and outsource data and programming work. We will continue to provide updates and developments regarding this executive order as appropriate especially as it relates to the H-1B visa program.