President Trump Signs Executive Order to Protect Americans Jobs
3 min read
U.S. President Donald Trump smiles as he arrives to speak about tax reform legislation in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. November 29, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC15E75F2F80
President J. Trump signed an Executive Order to help protect Americans jobs on August 3, 2020. Americans have lost their jobs to foreign H1B visa holders, or by companies outsourcing jobs overseas looking for cheaper labor for years. The President is taking a firm stand and saying no more! With so many Americans having been forced into joblessness due to the COVID19 lockdowns, a ray of hope still shines through the darkness. This change in federal contracting and hiring practices is a welcome, much needed, and positive change.
“Executive Order on Aligning Federal Contracting and Hiring Practices With the Interests of American Workers” ref. The White House states:
Section 1.  Policy. It is the policy of the executive branch to create opportunities for United States workers to compete for jobs, including jobs created through Federal contracts.  These opportunities, particularly in regions where the Federal Government remains the largest employer, are especially critical during the economic dislocation caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  When employers trade American jobs for temporary foreign labor, for example, it reduces opportunities for United States workers in a manner inconsistent with the role guest-worker programs are meant to play in the Nation’s economy.
Sec. 2.  Review of Contracting and Hiring Practices. (a)  The head of each executive department and agency (agency) that enters into contracts shall review, to the extent practicable, performance of contracts (including subcontracts) awarded by the agency in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to assess:
(i)Â Â whether contractors (including subcontractors)Â used temporary foreign labor for contracts performed in the United States, and, if so, the nature of the work performed by temporary foreign labor on such contracts; whether opportunities for United States workers were affected by such hiring; and any potential effects on the national security caused by such hiring; and
(ii)  whether contractors (including subcontractors) performed in foreign countries services previously performed in the United States, and, if so, whether opportunities for United States workers were affected by such offshoring; whether affected United States workers were eligible for assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program authorized by the Trade Act of 1974; and any potential effects on the national security caused by such offshoring.
(b)  The head of each agency that enters into contracts shall assess any negative impact of contractors’ and subcontractors’ temporary foreign labor hiring practices or offshoring practices on the economy and efficiency of Federal procurement and on the national security, and propose action, if necessary and as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to improve the economy and efficiency of Federal procurement and protect the national security.
(c)  The head of each agency shall, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, review the employment policies of the agency to assess the agency’s compliance with Executive Order 11935 of September 2, 1976 (Citizenship Requirements for Federal Employment), and section 704 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-93.
(d) Â Within 120 days of the date of this order, the head of each agency shall submit a report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget summarizing the results of the reviews required by subsections (a) through (c) of this section; recommending, if necessary, corrective actions that may be taken by the agency and timeframes to implement such actions; and proposing any Presidential actions that may be appropriate.
Sec. 3.  Measures to Prevent Adverse Effects on United States Workers.  Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security shall take action, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, 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)).
Thank you President Trump for looking out for Americans livelihoods, and ability to chase their dreams.
About Pete Santilli
