Judge throws out rules limiting skilled-worker visas

A federal judge struck down two Trump administration rules limiting the H-1B visa program.

The Department of Homeland Security deemed the skilled-worker visa rules a priority after they were announced in October. The rules, which called on salary requirements and limits on specialty occupations, were made a priority due to coronavirus-related job losses.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in California took issue with the federal government citing the pandemic for the rule changes. He said the Trump administration had planned to take the action for some time but only published the rules in October.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an event beyond defendants’ control, yet it was within defendants’ control to take action earlier than they did,” White said.

Read more from The Associated Press.