Noted MAGA ally and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has renewed his criticism of the H-1B visa program, calling it a “scam” that poses a threat to American workers as artificial intelligence threatens to reshape the labor market. Knewz.com has learned that the governor’s remarks came as the Donald Trump administration moves to overhaul the visa system, including new fees and a pay-based application process.
The H1-B visa program is ‘a scam,’ DeSantis says
Governor DeSantis recently took to X to voice his concerns regarding the H-1B visas and the alleged threat they pose. By: Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post / MEGA© Knewz (CA)
Governor DeSantis recently took to X to voice his concerns regarding the H-1B visas and the alleged threat they pose. “The H1-B visa program is a scam. It’s been used to import cheap foreign labor at the expense of Americans. That is not justifiable in any event, but it is especially galling when artificial intelligence is forecast to reduce a significant number of white collar jobs,” the governor wrote. The H-1B visa, established in 1990, allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering and medicine. However, critics argue the program enables major corporations to replace U.S. employees with lower-cost labor, while supporters say it fills critical skill gaps and sustains U.S. innovation.
An ‘unsustainable’ practice
Populist Republicans argue that foreign hiring depresses wages and undermines domestic job creation. BY: Unsplash© Knewz (CA)
DeSantis’ comments echo growing skepticism among populist Republicans who argue that foreign hiring depresses wages and undermines domestic job creation, especially as automation reshapes industries once thought immune to outsourcing. Industry leaders have expressed their concern as well, as Justin Vianello, CEO of tech services firm SkillStorm, said in a statement, “Relying on offshoring or temporary visa programs to fill critical tech roles is unsustainable, especially in areas like cybersecurity, AI and cloud that directly impact national security.”
Trump administration moves to overhaul the H-1B program
The DHS has proposed a new framework for awarding H-1B visas that would prioritize higher-paying jobs over the current lottery system. (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new framework for awarding H-1B visas that would prioritize higher-paying jobs over the current lottery system. A draft notice submitted to the Federal Register also includes a controversial $100,000 fee for certain H-1B applications, part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration overhaul. Immigration attorney Marina Shepelsky said in a statement that the fee “will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, this critical legal pathway for skilled foreign workers.” Christi Jackson, Partner at Laura Devine Immigration, warned, “The introduction of such an unprecedented fee raises fundamental concerns about access, fairness and the sustainability of the H-1B program, particularly for smaller employers. This situation underscores the fragility of the current system and highlights the broader volatility of U.S. immigration policy.”
Employers brace for impact
With demand for H-1B visas routinely exceeding the annual cap of 85,000, employers are closely watching the policy changes. BY: Unsplash© Knewz (CA)
With demand for H-1B visas routinely exceeding the annual cap of 85,000, employers are closely watching the policy changes. Tech industry leaders say the reforms could restrict access to skilled global talent just as competition for AI and cybersecurity expertise intensifies. For now, both supporters and critics agree on one point: The future of the H-1B program and its role in America’s tech-driven economy is once again at a crossroads.
MAGA governor sounds the alarm on U.S. visas
The H1-B visa program is ‘a scam,’ DeSantis says
Governor DeSantis recently took to X to voice his concerns regarding the H-1B visas and the alleged threat they pose. By: Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post / MEGA© Knewz (CA)
Governor DeSantis recently took to X to voice his concerns regarding the H-1B visas and the alleged threat they pose. “The H1-B visa program is a scam. It’s been used to import cheap foreign labor at the expense of Americans. That is not justifiable in any event, but it is especially galling when artificial intelligence is forecast to reduce a significant number of white collar jobs,” the governor wrote. The H-1B visa, established in 1990, allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering and medicine. However, critics argue the program enables major corporations to replace U.S. employees with lower-cost labor, while supporters say it fills critical skill gaps and sustains U.S. innovation.
An ‘unsustainable’ practice
Populist Republicans argue that foreign hiring depresses wages and undermines domestic job creation. BY: Unsplash© Knewz (CA)
DeSantis’ comments echo growing skepticism among populist Republicans who argue that foreign hiring depresses wages and undermines domestic job creation, especially as automation reshapes industries once thought immune to outsourcing. Industry leaders have expressed their concern as well, as Justin Vianello, CEO of tech services firm SkillStorm, said in a statement, “Relying on offshoring or temporary visa programs to fill critical tech roles is unsustainable, especially in areas like cybersecurity, AI and cloud that directly impact national security.”
Trump administration moves to overhaul the H-1B program
The DHS has proposed a new framework for awarding H-1B visas that would prioritize higher-paying jobs over the current lottery system. (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new framework for awarding H-1B visas that would prioritize higher-paying jobs over the current lottery system. A draft notice submitted to the Federal Register also includes a controversial $100,000 fee for certain H-1B applications, part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration overhaul. Immigration attorney Marina Shepelsky said in a statement that the fee “will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, this critical legal pathway for skilled foreign workers.” Christi Jackson, Partner at Laura Devine Immigration, warned, “The introduction of such an unprecedented fee raises fundamental concerns about access, fairness and the sustainability of the H-1B program, particularly for smaller employers. This situation underscores the fragility of the current system and highlights the broader volatility of U.S. immigration policy.”
Employers brace for impact
With demand for H-1B visas routinely exceeding the annual cap of 85,000, employers are closely watching the policy changes. BY: Unsplash© Knewz (CA)
With demand for H-1B visas routinely exceeding the annual cap of 85,000, employers are closely watching the policy changes. Tech industry leaders say the reforms could restrict access to skilled global talent just as competition for AI and cybersecurity expertise intensifies. For now, both supporters and critics agree on one point: The future of the H-1B program and its role in America’s tech-driven economy is once again at a crossroads.
MAGA governor sounds the alarm on U.S. visas
