(MENAFN- The Arabian Post)

The Trump administration has unveiled a controversial twist on its stance towards the H-1B visa program, a cornerstone of the US's immigration policy for skilled workers. The proposal, set forth by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, appears to strike a delicate balance between maintaining the flow of skilled foreign workers and the administration's“America First” agenda. Under the new policy, foreign workers would be brought to the US on a temporary basis, tasked primarily with training American workers in critical industries, before returning to their home countries.

Bessent's framing of the policy as“knowledge transfer” highlights a stark contrast to the traditional model, where foreign workers under the H-1B program are often seen as long-term contributors to the US workforce. The concept hinges on the belief that certain sectors, particularly those related to manufacturing, shipbuilding, and semiconductor production, have suffered from a talent drain in recent years. By bringing in foreign experts, Bessent argues, the US can bolster its workforce and address these gaps before those workers depart.

Trump, in turn, has echoed these sentiments, claiming that the US no longer has access to the level of expertise needed to fill roles in critical industries.“We don't have certain talents,” the former president said, noting the vital role these sectors play in America's economic future. While the rhetoric behind this policy seems geared towards boosting American jobs and reversing the decline in these industries, the implications for the broader economy and the H-1B program itself are anything but straightforward.

The shift in policy is likely to resonate across various sectors that rely heavily on H-1B workers, particularly in the technology and engineering fields. These areas have long been characterised by a robust exchange of talent, with skilled workers from around the globe contributing to American innovations in everything from software development to advanced manufacturing. While some industry leaders have voiced support for Trump's vision of retraining American workers, others are deeply concerned about the long-term consequences.

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Technology giants such as Google and Microsoft, along with smaller firms in Silicon Valley, have long depended on a steady influx of H-1B workers to fill vacancies in high-skill roles. These companies argue that a policy aimed at encouraging temporary stints of foreign workers would disrupt the ability to retain talent and foster long-term innovation. Without the ability to keep skilled professionals in the US for extended periods, the very industries that Trump seeks to revitalise could face greater challenges in maintaining their global competitive edge.

Critics of the policy suggest that this approach could further exacerbate labour shortages in key sectors. By positioning foreign workers solely as trainers, with a return date already in mind, companies may be forced to scramble for additional employees once their trainers depart, leaving them with short-term gains but long-term uncertainty. The ripple effect of this could prove problematic for industries that rely on sustained expertise, where long-term relationships and continuity are vital to success.

At the heart of the debate lies a key question: will this policy truly revitalise the industries Trump aims to target, or will it simply create a revolving door of short-term workers who never truly integrate into the American workforce? While the US faces undeniable challenges in certain areas of manufacturing and tech, the focus on knowledge transfer alone raises concerns about the balance between improving domestic talent and ensuring access to a global pool of skilled professionals.

The policy proposal has already garnered mixed responses. Proponents of the idea argue that it aligns with Trump's broader“America First” initiative, which prioritises American workers by addressing gaps in domestic talent pools. On the other hand, opponents view it as yet another obstacle for foreign workers seeking opportunities in the US, particularly as the programme's original purpose - to allow businesses to hire foreign talent when US workers are unavailable - may be undermined.

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