Fewer jobs for US visa students, more for skilled Americans

August 19 2009 by Rebekah Nahai

Fewer low skilled jobs for US visa students

Seasonal job posts usually taken by foreign students on short-term US visas are being filled by experienced American workers this year.

The economic downturn has led to high unemployment amongst educated and skilled US citizens, who are turning to low-skilled seasonal work to make ends meet.

Theme park Six Flags Great America in the state of Illinois received 12,000 applications well in advance of the summer season, double the usual amount. While the company would not reveal an exact figure, a spokesperson says they hired fewer foreign nationals this year. The 3,000 available posts are typically staffed in large part by foreign students on J-1 visas.

The visa is intended for educational exchange programs, but permit students to engage in paid work while in the US.

The Wagon Trail, a resort in Lake Michigan, says 40% of its seasonal workforce is usually made up of foreign workers on US visas. This year, American citizens have filled 85% of the posts.

But Phil Simon, vice president at the Council on International Educational Exchange, says foreign workers are still needed for many seasonal, tourism-based roles.

"We've been criticized for using international students, but they're still a lifesaver," said Tom Diehl, a business owner in Wisconsin.

The US State Department has encouraged companies to rely less on foreign labour and hire more US nationals this year. But some employers say they will hire Americans only if it is economically feasible.

Wagon Trail resort owner Jewel Peterson Ouradnik said: "We'd love to keep American jobs at home. It's terrible to see people losing their businesses, losing their homes, have the bottom fall out of their lives."

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