"President Trump is extending the pause on new immigrant visas through the end of the year", the statement said on Monday. "President Trump is building on this measure with an additional pause on several job-related non-immigrant visas - H-1Bs, H-2Bs without a nexus to the food-supply chain, certain H-4s, as well as Ls and certain Js".
The White House said more than 17 million jobs in the United States were lost between February and April of 2020 in industries in which employers are seeking to fill worker positions tied to H-2B non-immigrant visas.
"During this same period, more than 20 million United States workers lost their jobs in key industries where employers are currently requesting H-1B and L workers to fill positions", the statement said.
According to the White House, the H-1B program will prioritize those workers who are offered the highest wage, ensuring that the highest-skilled applicants are admitted. The US government will also close loopholes that have allowed employers in the country to replace American workers with low-cost foreign labour, the statement reads.
On Sanday, the US President revealed in an interview with the Fox News that the White House would soon be announcing new guest worker visa restrictions.