Vance Calls H-1B Program ‘Completely Broken’
Vice President Vance criticizes H-1B visa program as job-harming and calls for its elimination.
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Vice President JD Vance has called the H-1B visa program ‘completely broken,’ urging its elimination and accusing employers of using it to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. In an interview with conservative influencer Jack Posobiec aboard Air Force Two, Vance expressed frustration over the program’s misuse, particularly by technology companies and accounting firms.
Job Protection and Reform Calls
Vance emphasized the need to protect American workers, stating that the H-1B program should not be used to bring in low-wage foreign labor. ‘If you’re going to bring in an accountant making $45,000 a year to replace an accountant who’s an American making $60,000 a year, that’s not you using the program to bring in a genius,’ he said. ‘That’s you destroying American jobs and defrauding the American people.’
Political and Legal Challenges
The H-1B program has long been a political flashpoint, with debates over legal immigration and its impact on the U.S. workforce. Vance defended the administration’s efforts to curb abuse, while criticizing Congress for failing to reform the system. ‘Congress was not going to reform the H-1B program because unfortunately a lot of people were bought by the cheap labor lobby,’ he said.
Legal Setbacks and Proposed Fees
The administration’s attempts to impose fees on H-1B petitions have faced legal challenges. A second federal judge recently blocked the enforcement of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, citing a failure to follow the standard rulemaking process. Another judge had already struck down the fee in June, and the case remains under appeal.
Program Details and Demand
The H-1B program is capped at 85,000 new visas annually, with 65,000 under the regular program and 20,000 for workers with advanced U.S. degrees. Despite the cap, demand often exceeds supply, leading to an annual lottery system. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving over 211,000 registrations for the most recent lottery.
Source: Daily Wire
