Trump issues executive order to tighten H-1B rules

Washington: In a bid to hammer his America First' campaign theme, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday has issued an executive order to tighten the rules of H-1B visa programme and encourage hiring of Americans.

The move has come as a discouragement for the Indian IT firms who send software engineers to the US on H-1B visas.

The 'Buy America, Hire America' order was signed by Trump on Tuesday night.

The department heads of State, Justice, Homeland Security and Labour are directed to ensure H-1B visas to be provided only to the skilled workers.

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They were also ordered to set some new rules and guidance in order to avoid any fraud in the same.

"Right now, H-1B visas are awarded in a totally random lottery, and that's wrong. Instead, they should be given to the most skilled and highest-paid applicants, and they should never, ever be used to replace Americans," the US President asserted.

"With this action we are sending a powerful signal to the world that were going to defend our workers, protect our jobs and finally put America first," he added.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that the executive order will bring progress towards 'Buy American and Hire American', the keystone of Trump.