The harsh criticism directed at immigration programs by President Donald Trump, and the continued refusal of Congress to increase the cap on work US visas have caused many seasonal firms to hire more Americans over the summer, and pay them more. But not everyone is happy about it.
Although the news is likely to be heartening to the President and his supporters, as well as the workers themselves, business groups argue that companies forced to spend more on wages will ultimately result in the loss of company profits and jobs. Laure Flanagan, the co-chair of the lobbying group, H-2B Workforce Coalition, says that many businesses lost revenue over the summer season.
Trump has blasted programs enabling foreign guest workers to legally work in the US. In April, he told workers in Wisconsin that the immigration system has been the victim of widespread abuse, allowing American workers to be replaced by foreign workers who can be paid less, a practice he would end. Although the H-2B US visas, used for seasonal workers, have not been specifically targeted by the Trump administration, the President signed an executive order in April making it clear that restrictions on guest worker US visas would be tightened.
An extra 15,000 H-2B US visas were added to the cap in August, and in spite of the demand, have not yet been filled – perhaps surprising, given the speed at which the original cap was exhausted, and the lobbying by members of Congress and business groups.