The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think-tank, has entered the heated debate over H-1B visas with strong recommendations for the Trump administration. The organization behind the controversial Project 2025 has concluded that the current visa program cannot continue in its present form and requires immediate overhaul.
Major Concerns About H-1B Program Integrity
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts delivered a stark assessment of the H-1B visa system, highlighting systemic issues affecting the program. "Fraud, nepotism, and corruption affect every stage of the H-1B visa process," Roberts stated emphatically. He emphasized that prioritizing American workers is essential to making the American Dream achievable once again.
The H-1B visa program, which enables US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields, has increasingly become a point of contention. Critics argue that over the years, corporations have shown preference for foreign workers primarily to reduce labor costs, creating what many perceive as a threat to American employment opportunities.
Trump Administration's Contradictory Stance
Despite implementing a significant $100,000 fee increase for H-1B sponsors, the Trump administration has maintained that completely abolishing the program isn't feasible. President Trump himself acknowledged that America still requires specific talents from overseas, creating an unprecedented divide within his MAGA movement.
As the White House navigates this internal conflict, the Heritage Foundation has stepped forward with concrete policy recommendations. Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at the Foundation's Border and Immigration Center, authored a comprehensive report outlining necessary changes to the system.
Proposed Reforms and Policy Recommendations
The Heritage Foundation's report calls for several significant modifications to the H-1B program. Among the key proposals is replacing the current lottery system with a wage-based ranking method that would prioritize higher-paying positions. The think-tank also recommends eliminating exemptions for research institutions and nonprofit organizations.
Additional measures include explicitly prohibiting H-4 visa holders—spouses of H-1B visa recipients—from obtaining work authorization. The report further urges the Department of Homeland Security to limit the number of H-1B applicants each company can petition for annually and permanently ban entities that knowingly violate immigration laws from participating in the program.
The Foundation insists the program must return to its original purpose and scope. "To prioritize American students and workers first, the program should be scaled back to its original intent and scope but revised to account for increased salaries, a changed job market, and AI labor disruption," the report detailed.
Enhanced Transparency and Enforcement
The proposed reforms extend to government oversight and transparency. The Heritage Foundation recommends that the Department of Labor publish clear, searchable monthly statistics covering H-1B petitions, company layoffs, complaints, and investigations.
Simultaneously, the Department of Justice should investigate all credible allegations of fraud and abuse within the H-1B program, particularly focusing on harm caused to American workers. These measures aim to create a more accountable and transparent immigration system that better serves national interests.
The Heritage Foundation's intervention comes at a critical juncture in American immigration policy, potentially signaling significant changes ahead for the H-1B visa program that thousands of Indian professionals rely on for US employment opportunities.
