Economists Evaluate Impact of Skilled Foreign Workers on American Jobs

Why it matters locally: Hawaii's economy, particularly in sectors like technology and healthcare, relies on a diverse workforce. Changes to federal programs like the H-1B visa could influence the availability of skilled labor for employers across the islands.

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Former President Donald Trump recently stated that skilled foreign workers displace American workers. This assertion referred to programs such as the H-1B visa, which permits U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. Economists have conducted extensive research into the effects of H-1B employees. They have examined these impacts within individual companies and across local labor markets. Researchers have arrived at consistent conclusions regarding the influence of foreign workers on American employment figures.