Trump: Changes coming to visas

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump on Friday promised changes in the way the U.S. handles temporary visas that allow American companies to bring high-tech and other skilled workers into the U.S.

In a tweet, Trump said those who hold the temporary H1-B visas can “rest assured” because changes were coming that will bring “both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship.”

The president’s comments came amid a bitter Washington fight over funding for his border wall that has forced a partial government shutdown. Furloughed federal workers missed their first paycheck Friday.

Trump traveled to the border this week to make his case for a wall, and he appeared with the families of people killed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally. He also gave a prime-time address from the Oval Office in which he spoke of how immigrants in the country illegally were responsible for some brutal crimes.

On Friday, he said the U.S. wants to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue careers in the U.S.

The changes to which he was referring are likely a proposal announced late last year by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration.

The proposal included a shift to online applications for the coveted visas and changed procedures to increase the advantages of applicants with graduate degrees.