By Lee Han-soo
International students and high-tech workers, including Koreans, face uncertain times after U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed an executive order seeking to change the H1-B temporary visa program that allows high-skilled foreign workers to work in the U.S. for three years.
The visa program has recently been criticized for taking American jobs and lowering wages.
"We are going to use a tool you all know very well. It's called the sledgehammer," Trump said during a speech at a company in Kenosha, Wisconsin. "They [jobs] should be given to the most skilled and highest-paid applicants and not be used to replace Americans."
Trump has directed four federal agencies to suggest changes to the visa program. The order has brought panic to Korean students studying in the U.S.
"It was always uncertain if I would get a job in the U.S. after graduating," said a Korean studying molecular biology at Stanford University. "But I fear that if the guidelines are changed that possibility will change to zero."
According to U.S. State Department data, South Koreans made up 1.3 percent (2,337) of 180,057 H1-B visas issued last year.
 |
| Korean students face an uncertain job future in the U.S. after President Trump calls for changes to the H1-B visa program. / Courtesy of Pixabay |
The visa program has recently been criticized for taking American jobs and lowering wages.
"We are going to use a tool you all know very well. It's called the sledgehammer," Trump said during a speech at a company in Kenosha, Wisconsin. "They [jobs] should be given to the most skilled and highest-paid applicants and not be used to replace Americans."
Trump has directed four federal agencies to suggest changes to the visa program. The order has brought panic to Korean students studying in the U.S.
"It was always uncertain if I would get a job in the U.S. after graduating," said a Korean studying molecular biology at Stanford University. "But I fear that if the guidelines are changed that possibility will change to zero."
According to U.S. State Department data, South Koreans made up 1.3 percent (2,337) of 180,057 H1-B visas issued last year.
![[INTERVIEW] Ecolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/7a924189dbb7426ab12275ba98702309.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[ANALYSIS] Has N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e65868a1b5834cc3aef853378637d1fd.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8fb4b5d381da49df90276394550f2889.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Korea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/800d9054a14b4a0f9cc576366cc1b914.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/0eae35da5e9c40c38cf439e550a2eb3e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
