Washington, Nov 13 – After President Donald Trump defended the H‑1B visa program, the White House said it will step up enforcement to stop alleged abuses in the system.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a new statement on X, the platform now called Twitter. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told the Daily Wire that the administration aims to “reform the immigration system.” She highlighted Trump’s record, saying the president has “tightened our immigration laws and put American workers first.”
Rogers added that a $100,000 fee on new H‑1B applications is a “significant first step” to curb abuse and protect U.S. jobs. She emphasized that the policy will keep U.S. workers from being replaced by lower‑paid foreign labor.
On Tuesday, Trump spoke on Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. When asked if the administration would deprioritize H‑1B visas, Trump replied, “You do have to bring in talent.” When Ingraham suggested we already have enough talent, he countered, “No, you don’t.” He underscored that not all necessary skills are found in the U.S., and claimed the government must still bring in expertise for jobs ranging from factory work to missile production.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has opened 175 investigations into potential H‑1B fraud. The effort, “Project Firewall,” started in September to target companies that may exploit the visa system. DOL Secretary Lori Chavez‑DeRemer wrote on X that the department will use all means to stop abuse and protect American jobs.
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state universities must stop hiring H‑1B workers, insisting that vacancies be filled by Florida residents. The White House reiterated that putting American workers first is the priority and vowed to fight lawsuits against the crackdown.
The policy has drawn criticism from lawmakers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest business group. In late October, five members of Congress urged President Trump to reconsider a September 19 proclamation that could hurt ties with India. In 2024, more than 70 % of approved H‑1B visas went to Indian-born workers, largely because of a backlog and the large pool of skilled Indian immigrants.
With these moves, the Trump administration is tightening its grip on the H‑1B visa program, aiming to reduce abuses while maintaining a flow of global talent for U.S. firms.
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