Senate approves 'strict' rules on hiring H-1B workers

Bill sought to bar firms receiving bailout money from hiring foreign workers but set restrictions instead.

The U.S. Senate agreed on Friday to set restrictions on the hiring of H-1B workers by financial services firms that receive federal bailout funds, but it didn't bar the hiring of foreign workers as proponents had sought.

Sen. Grassley said in a statement late Friday that the modified bill means companies receiving TARP funds would still be able to hire H-1B visa holders, but would have to comply with the "H-1B dependent"-employer rules "which include attesting to actively recruiting American workers; not displacing American workers with H-1B visa holders; and not replacing laid off American workers with foreign workers."