The US Department of Labor has released a new video ad accusing companies of misusing the H-1B visa system and claiming that foreign workers have taken away opportunities meant for Americans. The video features a pie chart showing India as the country with the largest share of H-1B visa holders at 72 percent, while a narrator declares that “the American dream has been stolen from the American people.”
The narration criticises politicians and bureaucrats for allowing corporations to exploit the visa system. “Many young Americans have had this dream stolen from them by foreign workers as companies were allowed to misuse the H-1B visa,” the voiceover says. The video, shared by the Department of Labor on October 30, promotes US President Donald Trump’s “Project Firewall,” a policy that aims to hold firms accountable for H-1B misuse and ensure that hiring practices prioritise American citizens. It ends with the message, “Recapturing the American dream for the American people.”
The ad comes amid a wave of strict immigration measures introduced by the Trump administration. Recently, the president signed a proclamation that imposes a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, a rule that took effect on September 21. The announcement initially caused alarm, especially among Indian professionals working in the United States, before the White House clarified that it was a one-time fee rather than an annual charge and would not impact current visa holders.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows that India continues to dominate the H-1B landscape, contributing 33 percent of the total non-immigrant population in the US in the 2024 fiscal year.
The H-1B programme allows American companies to employ foreign professionals in specialised fields such as engineering, information technology, medicine, and scientific research. The visa is typically granted for three years and can be extended for another three.
Defending the fee increase, the Trump administration said it was designed to make sure only the most highly skilled foreign professionals—those who cannot easily be replaced by US workers—are hired. The move fits into the president’s broader stance of tightening immigration policies and promoting what he describes as an “America First” approach to the job market.
