High tech companies are criticizing President Donald Trump's reported plans to suspend visas for, among others, highly skilled foreign workers. The White House described the order as affecting "aliens who present a risk to the U.S. labor market."

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) called the suspension "extremely disappointing." 

Cinnamon Rogers, EVP for public advocacy, said the move could have lasting economic consequences. 

The President reportedly believes that with so many American's out of work, the country should not be allowing foreign workers into that job pool, at least at the moment. 

Rogers said that H-1B visa program does not supplant American workers, but "instead help ensure U.S. innovation and economic growth." She said making it tougher for bright minds to come here "only benefits our competitors abroad who will attract their talents to build and develop cutting-edge, job-creating goods and services."

“Today’s executive action stands to upend the ability of U.S. employers – in the tech sector and beyond – to hire the men and women they need to strengthen their workforce, repower the economy, and drive innovation," said tech association ITI president Jason Oxman. "At a critical time for the U.S. economy, it will have a dangerous impact on the economic recovery and growth for years to come. As U.S. companies get their employees back to work, immigrants working in the technology industry are vital to sustaining promising recovery trends, as well as supporting the United States’ ongoing response to COVID-19. We urge President Trump to reconsider his actions and work with the business community on a plan that will actually bolster job growth and ensure economic security for all Americans.” 

Some Republican senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee that held a hearing on Chinese telecom Tuesday (May 14), are sponsoring a bill that would bar Chinese military scientists and engineers from U.S. labs.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), joined by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) have introduced the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Visa Security Act.

It would: 1) "require the U.S. government to develop a list of scientific and engineering institutions affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army" and "prohibit individuals employed or sponsored by these Chinese military institutions from receiving student or research visas to the United States."

A House version of the bill has been introduced by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.).

The visa issue also came up in the hearing on the cybersecurity threat of Chinese telecom in U.S. (and allies) 5G networks.

“For too long, China’s communist government has been exploiting our student visa system to spy on our universities and steal our technology," said Hawley. "This bill will keep the Chinese military away from critical research on our college campuses and curb China’s economic espionage activities in the United States."

Hawley introduced a separate but related bill Tuesday (May 14) targeting tech exports to China.