Ahead of Trump's order, H-1B applications to US drop for the first time

A total of 199,000 applications were received for 85,000 visas

The number of applications for the H-1B visas used by high-tech companies and others to bring highly skilled workers to the U.S. dropped this year after years on the rise, the government said Monday.

It is unclear exactly why, but experts pointed to Trump administration promises to crack down on the abuses in the program, discussion of tougher vetting of foreigners and business decisions by the Indian outsourcing firms that are heavy users of the program.

A total of 199,000 applications were received in five days for just 85,000 visas for fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, the fifth year