British workers hit by tougher US policy on immigration

BRITISH professionals are being hit by the Trump administration’s campaign to protect American workers by curbing immigration.

Figures from the US State Department show a fall in the number of visas granted to Britons wanting skilled jobs.

“Brick by brick, the administration is building an invisible wall against legal immigration through a myriad of policies and procedures,” said Diane Rish, of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “They are slowing or even stopping immigration to the US, without any congressional action.”

Donald Trump issued his “Buy American and Hire American” executive order in April 2017, after which visa denials rose by 41 per cent.

There has been a fall of 1,393 visas being granted for eight of the most common professional permits – a decline of six per cent – and a drop of 17 per cent in the number of H1B visas for skilled workers. Even Britons already working in the US are at risk. A circular sent to officials in October last year by US immigration services said the extension and renewal of existing visas should be treated as fresh applications, ignoring the fact that the individuals were already eligible to work in the US.

Immigration officers, whose union endorsed Mr Trump during the 2016 presidential election, are taking a noticeably tougher line.

Jason Sullivan, a migration lawyer, said: “While I understand the idea behind this administration’s policies, I believe it is becoming counterproductive.”

Tony Digweed, 55, who moved from the UK to Fort Lauderdale in 2013 with a “treaty trader” visa, has become a victim of the tough line. He was refused a green card and returned to Britain expecting his treaty trader visa to be renewed.

But this was turned down in part because of the earlier green card application. “Our car is in the short term airport car park in Fort Lauderdale,” he said. “All in all, a mess.”