H-1B Visa Row: US Lawmakers Call It a “Scam”

A recent video clip of a 7-Eleven H-1B worker has gone viral triggering an online debate on the exploitation of the employment-based visa program in the US. Along with netizens, Republican lawmakers, immigration restriction groups and pro-MAGA activists also reacted, with a few of them suggesting abolition of the program.

The clip featuring influencer Tyler Oliveira shows him entering a 7-Eleven store and questioning an employee about his immigration status. The employee replies he is on H-1B visa from Andhra Pradesh and then takes his phone saying “I’m going to call my manager.” The video went viral drawing reaction from Republican lawmakers, calling for the visa program’s scrapping completely.

Since the Trump administration launched strict scrutiny of the H-1B visas and increased the visa fee to $100,000 last year, the number of petitions seeking H-1B visa has reduced, even as it is the primary pathway for career growth and also potential doorway for securing green card (permanent residency) in the US.

The H-1B visa program is critical for Indian professionals as it provides access to high-skilled jobs in the US, with Indians receiving nearly 70% of all approvals. It helps high-skilled individuals in IT, engineering and STEM fields to get significantly higher compensation.

The H-1B allows employees to apply for a green card, helping them to settle in the foreign country as it enables workers to take their spouse and children too to the US. H-1B visa program is more like a life-settlement pathway for many skilled IT professionals in India. 

The video drew attention to the point that H-1B program which is legally meant for ‘specialty occupations’ requiring highly specialised knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree in the fields such as engineering, education, medicine, mathematics, and computer-related work is being misused for a cashier position at a convenience store.

The viral video prompted reaction from Republican lawmakers calling it a scam. Congressman Brandon Gill recollected that the program was introduced with a good intent, with an aim to allow bringing in foreign talent into the US to fill some niche and specific job, for which the employer could not literally find a suitable individual in the US. However, it has been completely twisted and turned into a scam with the employers opting for the program to lower wages, he said, adding that it should be abolished.

Congressman Greg Steube felt that H-1B is not helping Americans. In fact, it is replacing them. Our workers should not be in the second place in their own country. “My EXILE Act eliminates the program entirely. This is what America First looks like.”  It may be recalled that a few days ago, Steube announced the EXILE Act, a legislation that would put an end to H-1B visa program altogether.