H-1B visas: Trump signs new 'Buy American, Hire American' order

The US House of Representatives introduced a legislation decreeing that the "minimum salary of H-1B visa holders be doubled to $130,000."

The legislation proposes a market-based resolution that gives preference to companies "willing to pay the most".

This assures American employers have way to the skill they require while eliminating grounds for companies to undermine American salaries and outsource jobs.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing a review of the H-1B visa scheme.

Calling it the first step towards ending visa abuses, Trump sought replacing the current lottery-based visa issuance system with a merit-based one.

Under the 'Buy American, Hire American' rules, American projects will also have to use American products.

Reforms will be suggested for proper implementation of the scheme.

Around 65,000 workers and 20,000 graduate students are admitted to the US through a lottery-based H-1B visa programme.

The White House intends to replace the programme from a lottery to a merit-based system.

A majority of the visas are awarded to outsourcing firms, who critics argue exploit loopholes to fill lower-level IT jobs with foreign talent, often at lesser salaries.

In a bid to spur higher wages and employment rates for American workers, Trump's new executive order will call for the "strict enforcement" of laws governing entry of overseas labour.

Government agencies will be urged to "take prompt action to crack down on fraud and abuse" in the immigration system by the order, a senior Trump administration official said.

The "Buy American" aspect of the executive order reduce the waivers and exemptions through which government agencies sidestep laws favouring American-made goods.

Agencies would be required to evaluate the potential use of unfair trade practices by foreign governments while considering the lowest responsible bidder.

Transportation infrastructure projects would require steel "melted and poured" in America.

US lawmakers said President Donald Trump's executive order to review the H-1B visa programme is too little, too late; according to Senator Dick Durbin, "We already know H-1B visa abuse hurts American workers."

Congressman Bill Pascrell called it a "broken promise" from Trump who had promised repeal of the scheme.

However, it drew applause from Democrats and treasury benches.