TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office on Monday (Jan. 20) and promptly signed a series of executive orders, with immigration reform as a primary focus. His administration aims to initiate the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting over 10 million undocumented immigrants residing in the country.
Trump's administration is set to adopt a conservative stance on immigration, potentially imposing stricter regulations on H-1B visas. Cecilia Hu (胡芮萍), an associate attorney specializing in immigration, noted that reviews of H-1B visas will become more rigorous, especially regarding salary approvals. Trump may replace the existing lottery system with a salary-based preference, prioritizing highly educated and skilled foreign professionals.
The U.S. currently caps H-1B visas at 65,000 annually, with an additional 20,000 for those holding a master's degree or higher from U.S. institutions. Simon Chang (張登及), a political science professor at National Taiwan University (NTU, 台灣大學), emphasized the significant contributions of elite immigrants to U.S. economic competitiveness.
Liao Yuan-hao (廖元豪), an associate professor of law at National Chengchi University (NCCU, 政治大學), highlighted the challenge for Trump to balance preserving American jobs with fostering economic growth. Additionally, Trump's plans to abolish birthright citizenship and end birth tourism face legal challenges under the U.S. Constitution.
Experts caution that Trump's anti-immigration policies might impact the labor supply in the U.S. service industry. They warn that the administration must balance these policies with industry needs to mitigate potential social and economic ripple effects.
