双语新闻：美国国务院正在制定允许一些工作签证持有人在美国续签

The U.S. State Department is working on a test program that would permit some work visa holders to renew their documents in the United States.

美国国务院正在制定一个测试项目，允许一些工作签证持有者在美国更新他们的文件。

The pilot program would involve holders of H-1B visas. This kind of visa permits highly skilled foreigners to enter the U.S. for work purposes for at least three years.

该试点项目将涉及H-1B签证持有者。这种签证允许高技能外国人以工作为目的进入美国至少三年。

Currently, H-1B visa holders are required to travel to an American diplomatic office outside the U.S. to seek renewals.

目前，H-1B签证持有人必须前往美国境外的美国外交办事处申请续签。

A State Department spokesperson told VOA the pilot program aims to improve "the uncertainty often experienced by U.S. companies" that temporarily employ H-1B workers. The official communicated by email. The official spoke to VOA on the condition that they not be identified.

美国国务院发言人对美国之音说，这个试点项目旨在改善临时雇用H-1B签证工人的“美国公司经常遇到的不确定性”。这位官员通过电子邮件进行沟通。这名官员接受美国之音采访时要求不透露他们的身份。

The official said that the State Department would judge whether the policy change would improve the availability and speed of visa approvals worldwide.

这名官员表示，国务院将判断这一政策变化是否会改善全球签证审批的可用性和速度。

Immigration lawyers have long urged the administration of President Joe Biden to bring back U.S. visa renewals that were ended in 2004. They say the current renewal process can make it difficult for U.S.-based foreign employees to get appointments at U.S. diplomatic offices abroad. And the travel linked to those appointments can be very costly.

移民律师长期以来一直敦促拜登政府恢复2004年终止的美国签证续签。他们说，目前的续签程序可能会使在美国的外国雇员难以在美国驻外外交机构获得预约。与这些预约相关的旅行可能非常昂贵。

The spokesperson said the State Department is hoping to begin accepting renewal documents by the end of this year. The program is to begin with officials inviting a small number of visa holders to take part.

这位发言人说，国务院希望在今年年底前开始接受更新文件。该项目将以官员邀请少数签证持有者参与开始。

But the spokesperson said the program must first go through a rule-making process, which will start at the White House. Once those rules are decided, the State Department will seek public comments and consider any necessary changes. The proposal will then go back to the White House for final review.

但这位发言人表示，该计划必须首先通过一个规则制定程序，这个程序将从白宫开始。一旦这些规定确定，国务院将征求公众意见，并考虑任何必要的修改。该提案随后将返回白宫进行最终审查。