Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed complaints by Korean companies about their workers getting caught at jobs in the United States without work permits.

“ I called up the Koreans, I said, ‘Oh, give me a break,'” Lutnick told Axios, adding:

Get the right visa and if you’re having problems getting the right visa, call me. I’ll call [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem. We’ll help you get the right visa, but don’t do it the wrong way.

The dismissive response comes amid ample evidence that Korean companies have been smuggling ordinary construction workers into the United States on tourist visas. The law requires that foreign companies hire Americans and get L-1 visas for specialized trainers and equipment installers. There is no cap on the number of L-1 visas, so each has to

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