Trump officials rush to make it tougher for skilled foreign workers to gain visas

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S., September 19, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is racing to toughen the process for U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers before the end of the year, changes top Trump officials argue will preserve jobs for Americans amid high unemployment and be politically difficult to reverse.

With just weeks to go until the Nov. 3 election, the White House budget office is reviewing a fast-track regulation that would narrow the definition of a “specialty occupation” eligible for a skilled-worker visa under the H-1B program, according to the budget office website and administration officials.