Gallego calls on Trump administration to increase oversight of H-1B visas

Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona has urged the Trump administration to intensify scrutiny of how major corporations utilize H-1B visas for foreign employees. In his correspondence, Gallego emphasized his support for skilled immigration initiatives that drive economic growth and generate well-paying jobs for American workers.

It is essential that these programs are not exploited to displace U.S. employees, particularly at a time when achieving the American dream is increasingly difficult for young people, Gallego wrote.

The senator highlighted a concerning trend: while major tech firms have laid off hundreds of thousands of American employees, they have simultaneously brought in over 30,000 H-1B workers. He stressed that this particularly affects recent college graduates, many of whom are eager to enter these roles.

Gallego referenced a report from the Bank of America Institute, which shows that although overall unemployment has stabilized, the jobless rate among young workers rose to 7.4 percent in June. According to the senator, this indicates that the American dream is becoming out of reach for many young adults.

The purpose of the H-1B visa program is to supplement the U.S. workforce and boost the economy, not to replace American workers, he continued. With so many unemployed U.S. graduates possessing the necessary skills, companies laying off Americans while hiring foreign H-1B workers raises serious concerns.

Gallego posed several questions aimed at ensuring the H-1B program fulfills its intended goals and does not harm American employment. These inquiries address potential investigations into visa misuse, prioritization of scrutiny on certain companies, and monitoring firms that replace U.S. workers with H-1B visa holders.

The letter was directed to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

President Trump has defended increasing the number of foreign workers in the U.S., arguing that there is a shortage of domestic talent for specific positions. He proposed prioritizing highly skilled, well-paid foreign workers over the lottery-based H-1B system and increased visa application fees to $100,000 in September. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the fee hike aims to encourage companies to hire American workers amid stricter immigration enforcement.

The higher fee prompted a federal lawsuit by a coalition including religious groups, healthcare providers, unions, and educators. They warned that hospitals, schools, churches, and industries nationwide could lose key personnel and innovators.

The presidents actions sparked debate among conservatives. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized replacing U.S. workers with foreign labor, while commentator Matt Walsh argued that training domestic talent should be a priority.

The fee increase could also affect Silicon Valley. David Bier of the Cato Institute noted that it might reduce innovation, output, and overall economic growth in the United States.

Author: Lucas Grant