 "‘A scam’: US commerce secretary says Trump admin to change H-1B visa, green card system")
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has slammed the H-1B visa program as a “scam” that takes away American jobs, saying the Trump administration will overhaul the system along with green card rules. The changes, he warned, could have a big impact on Indian professionals, who form the majority of H-1B holders.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has called the H-1B visa program a “scam” that takes jobs away from American workers, signaling major reforms that could significantly affect Indian professionals, who make up most H-1B holders.
“The current H-1B visa system is a scam that lets foreign workers fill American job opportunities. Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses,” Lutnick told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
He said he is directly involved in proposed changes to replace the current lottery-based H-1B system with a more selective, wage-based model. “We’re going to change that program because that’s terrible. We’re going to change the green card,” he said.
The current H1B visa system is a scam that lets foreign workers fill American job opportunities.
Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses. Now is the time to hire American. pic.twitter.com/l27HEhF7C3
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) August 26, 2025
Lutnick also criticised the green card system, highlighting income levels of recipients as evidence of misplaced priorities. “We give green cards – the average American makes $75,000 a year and the average green card recipient $66,000 a year. Why are we doing that? It’s like picking the bottom core,” he said.
He added that under Donald Trump, immigration policy will focus on attracting skilled and wealthy individuals. “That’s why Donald Trump is going to change it – that’s where the Gold Card is coming, and with that we’re going to start picking the best people.”
Trump’s Gold Card plan
Lutnick shared details of a proposed ‘Gold Card’ programme that would grant permanent US residency to foreigners investing at least $5 million.
He said demand for the programme is already very high, with 250,000 potential applicants, which could generate up to $1.25 trillion in investment.
“That’s the gold card that’s coming. And that’s where we’re gonna start picking the best people to come into this country. It’s time for that to change,” Lutnick said.
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