US DHS Proposes Wage-Based H-1B Visa Changes Impacting Tech Workers

The H-1B visa program, crucial for U.S. industries like technology and healthcare, is facing significant reforms under the Trump administration and lawmakers such as Rep. Tom Tiffany. Tiffany is proposing legislation to eliminate exemptions to the 65,000 visa cap, requiring all applicants, including those from universities, to compete equally, emphasizing a merit-based approach. Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security is advancing a 'weighted selection process' to prioritize H-1B applicants based on wage levels and qualifications, incentivizing employers to offer higher salaries and seek higher-skilled workers. These reforms aim to address concerns over tech layoffs and the replacement of American workers with foreign-born employees on H-1B visas, as well as offshoring trends that threaten domestic job markets. The current lottery system, which treats all applicants equally regardless of skill or wage, is set to be replaced by a process favoring higher wages and advanced degrees, potentially impacting the large number of Indian nationals who dominate H-1B visa recipients. Despite these changes, the H-1B program remains a vital pathway for skilled foreign professionals to contribute to U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness.