Florida governor Ron DeSantis weighed in on the ongoing debate over the H-1B visa program, calling it “labor arbitrage” that benefits big companies and hurts domestic American workers. His comments came in response to a social media post that said many companies hire H-1B workers to save labor costs and not exceptional talent. The post said that companies could pay an American worker three times as much for the same job, but instead they hire foreign workers whose pay is kept low and predictable, keeping them as long-term, cheaper employees. Many “America First” voices, including Nikki Haley’s son Nalin Haley, have expressed similar opinions about immigrant salaries. He said that people from abroad are willing to work for half the pay of American workers, which limits opportunities and jobs for Americans.The row over H-1B visas has intensified this year, especially after the federal government raised the application fee to $100,000 for new in September. This steep increase was officially intended to curb abuse of the visa system and prioritize American workers. However, the policy could severely impact immigrant workers, particularly from India, who have historically received the majority of H-1B approvals. Adding to the tension, US tightened screening of H-1B and dependent H-4 visa holders, now including social media checks. Companies hiring international talent also face stricter compliance rules, contributing to a sharp drop in H-1B approvals—reaching a 10-year low in fiscal 2025.Amid these challenges, a US congressman of Indian-origin, Raja Krishnamoorthi, reintroduced the HIRE Act, aiming to double the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 130,000 to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers in sectors like IT, healthcare, and research.The row comes amid an internal divide among GOP conservatives over H-1B visas. The MAGA chief, Donald Trump, said last month that the US needs skilled foreign workers to fill crucial sectors such as tech and defence. However, many right-leaning members of the party disliked the president’s stance and accused the US president of going against his “America First” ironclad promise.
