President Trump enacts a yearly limit of $100,000 on H-1B visa petitions submissions
In the realm of US visas, the H-1B program continues to be a subject of debate and change. Originating in 1990, the H-1B program was designed to attract highly-skilled foreign workers for jobs that tech companies struggle to fill with qualified American citizens or permanent residents [1].
However, according to Doug Rand, who served as director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Biden administration, the program has a "split personality" [2]. Approximately half of the visas each year go to traditional companies offering long-term employment and a path to naturalization. The other half, however, is allocated to staffing or consulting firms.
These consulting firms often hire foreign workers, many from India, and subcontract them to American employers seeking to save costs [3]. Major tech companies and firms like Wipro, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tata in India, and IBM and Cognizant in the U.S., outsource technical support, programming, and other basic tasks [4].
Critics argue that the H-1B program allows companies to pay lower wages and offer fewer labor protections [5]. In response, the Biden administration implemented changes in 2021, limiting each employee to one chance in the lottery, regardless of the number of job offers [6].
These changes followed a significant drop in H-1B visa applications in 2024, with lottery applications falling nearly 40% [7]. This decrease was attributed to authorities addressing people "gaming the system" by submitting multiple, sometimes questionable, applications [8].
The AFL-CIO union, however, believes that while these changes "included some steps in the right direction," they did not reach the necessary reforms [9]. The union advocates for visas to be granted to companies that pay the highest salaries instead of by random lottery [10]. This change was also sought by President Donald Trump during his first term in the White House [11].
In a recent development, President Trump signed a proclamation on Friday, requiring a new annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications [12].
Geographically, California has the highest number of H-1B visa workers [13]. Since 2021, the US companies that have filed the most H-1B visa applications include Microsoft, JP Morgan, and Amazon [14]. In 2021, Amazon was the largest recipient of H-1B visas, with over 10,000 granted [15].
As the H-1B program continues to evolve, discussions around further reforms persist. Critics call for changes such as granting visas to companies that pay the highest salaries instead of by random lottery, aiming to ensure fairness and opportunities for all involved.
This article has been translated from English with the assistance of a generative artificial intelligence tool. The story was originally reported by Ortutay from Oakland, California, and Adriana Gómez Licón in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
References: 1. H-1B visas intended for highly-skilled foreign workers 2. Doug Rand, former director of USCIS, on the H-1B program's "split personality" 3. Consulting firms hiring foreign workers and subcontracting to American employers 4. Major tech companies and firms using H-1B visas 5. Critics argue lower wages and fewer labor protections with H-1B program 6. USCIS limiting each employee to one chance in the H-1B lottery 7. Drop in H-1B visa applications in 2024 8. Addressing people "gaming the system" by submitting multiple, sometimes questionable, applications 9. AFL-CIO union on the H-1B lottery changes 10. Visas to be granted to companies that pay the highest salaries instead of by random lottery 11. President Donald Trump seeking changes to H-1B program 12. New annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications 13. California having the highest number of H-1B visa workers 14. US companies filing the most H-1B visa applications since 2021 15. Amazon being the largest recipient of H-1B visas in 2021
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