Washington: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called the H-1B visa system a “total scam”, alleging that it enables companies to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour, largely from India.
His remarks come as the Trump administration continues tightening immigration rules affecting foreign workers and students.
Speaking to Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, DeSantis said, “I think you're right to say the H-1B, it's become a total scam. These companies game the system. Some of these companies are laying off large numbers of Americans while also hiring new H-1B workers and renewing existing H-1B visas.”
He further added, “...Most of them (H-1Bs) are from one country, India, there's a cottage industry about how all those people make money off this system.”
DeSantis’ criticism echoed comments made a day earlier by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik, who argued that the current visa system undermines American employment. “Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses. Now is the time to hire Americans,” Lutnik said in an online post.
Lutnik also confirmed that he is working on a sweeping overhaul of the H-1B and green card programme. Speaking to Fox News, he highlighted disparities in wages between American citizens and green card holders, calling the existing system exploitative.
US authorities have already cleared a draft rule that would abolish the lottery-based visa allocation system and instead prioritise applicants with higher salaries. If implemented, this change could have significant implications for Indian professionals, who have historically accounted for nearly 70 per cent of all H-1B visas issued.
The Trump administration has steadily moved to curb opportunities for foreign workers and students since the President assumed office in January, with the H-1B programme being a major target of reform.