The former administration’s proposals regarding the H-1B visa program centered on altering its allocation process, prioritizing higher-skilled workers and higher-paying jobs. These proposals included revisions to the wage levels used to determine prevailing wage requirements for H-1B visa holders, aiming to ensure that foreign workers are not hired at wages that undercut American workers. An example of these changes involved adjustments to the lottery system and the definition of “specialty occupation.”
The significance of these proposed changes lay in their potential to reshape the landscape of high-skilled immigration into the United States. Proponents argued these alterations would protect American jobs and encourage companies to invest in domestic talent. Furthermore, the historical context of the H-1B visa program reveals ongoing debates about its impact on the U.S. labor market, with concerns raised about potential displacement of American workers and downward pressure on wages.
