In September, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to restrict temporary foreign workers under the H1B visa program except for those whose petitions are accompanied by a payment of $100,000.
As a result, Arkansas’ largest public employer is taking a look at its use of the H1B program.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has 247 employees who are in the United States on H1B visas and they are primarily physicians and researchers, according to UAMS spokeswoman Leslie Taylor.
The program is meant to help employers who can’t otherwise find the business skills and abilities needed from the U.S. workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. But a $100,000 price tag per employee could make some employers reconsider the program.
“Our international employees are an essential part of our workforce,” Taylor said. “We are currently discussing our recruitment and sponsorship strategy and coordinating that with the University of Arkansas System Office.”
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