Washington, 13 November (Udaipur Kiran)। A day after US President Donald Trump defended the H-1B visa programme, the White House clarified that the administration remains committed to taking strict action against misuse of the visa system.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt issued the clarification to media outlet Daily Wire. On Wednesday, spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the Government is working to reform the country’s immigration framework.
Rogers stated, “No modern American President has tightened immigration laws as swiftly as President Trump. He has prioritised the interests of American workers.”
She added that the newly proposed additional fee of USD 100,000 on fresh H-1B applications is a significant step towards preventing system abuse, ensuring that US workers do not lose jobs to cheaper foreign labour.
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Trump was asked whether his administration planned to reduce the priority of H-1B visas. He responded, “No, we need talent.”
When the anchor remarked that the US already had enough talent, Trump replied, “No, you don’t have certain specialised talent. You can’t just put unemployed people in a factory or in missile production. These require specific skills.”
Last week, the US Department of Labor launched investigations into more than 175 cases of potential H-1B visa misuse under Project Firewall, an initiative aimed at cracking down on companies violating rules while hiring foreign workers.
US Labor Secretary Lory Chavez-DeRemer said the department is using every available resource to curb abuse of the H-1B system and to protect American jobs.
The Trump administration’s H-1B policy has faced criticism from several lawmakers and organisations. The US Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest business group, has also filed a lawsuit challenging the policy.
On 31 October, five US lawmakers wrote to President Trump urging him to reconsider his 19 September order, citing possible negative implications for India–US relations.
In 2024, Indian-origin professionals accounted for nearly 70% of all H-1B visas issued, as India continues to contribute the largest number of highly skilled applicants, with a significant volume of pending cases also linked to Indian nationals.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
