US Senator Sounds Alarm on H-1B Visas and American Job Losses
Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona has formally raised serious concerns with the administration regarding the H-1B visa program. He is seeking clarity on measures to protect American workers from being displaced by foreign hires on temporary work visas.
Data Points to a Troubling Trend for Young Americans
In his communication, Senator Gallego highlighted a worrying pattern where companies are simultaneously laying off American employees and filing petitions for H-1B workers. He linked this to the high unemployment rate among American tech professionals, especially new graduates.
He cited specific statistics showing that the share of employees aged 21 to 25 at major public tech firms plummeted from 15% in January 2023 to just 6.7% by July 2025. This sharp decline, he argued, indicates a pool of young, trainable American talent being overlooked.
The senator expanded the concern beyond tech, noting that Generation Z is facing broad economic headwinds. Citing a Bank of America Institute report, he stated that over 13% of unemployed Americans in July were new workforce entrants or those with no prior experience—a rate reportedly not seen since 1988.
The Crushing Weight on the American Dream
Gallego framed the job market challenges within a larger crisis of affordability for young people. He painted a stark picture of the modern economic landscape eroding the traditional American dream.
The average student now borrows more than $30,000 for a bachelor's degree, yet this investment is struggling to keep pace with soaring costs. Since the start of 2020, median home prices have surged 55.7%, dramatically outpacing average wage growth of 26.6%.
Adding to the financial strain, a new report reveals that infant childcare costs now exceed rent payments in 17 US states and are higher than in-state college tuition in 38 states.
Demanding Accountability from Labor Department
While acknowledging the administration's existing Project Firewall initiative, Senator Gallego pressed for more concrete action. He directly asked if the Department of Labor would specifically scrutinize companies that have conducted layoffs of American workers while simultaneously seeking H-1B visas.
His central question seeks a guarantee of "good faith" efforts by companies to prioritize US workers as required by H-1B rules. "How will you ensure companies make good faith efforts to fulfill all H-1B requirements, including those requiring prioritization of U.S. workers over H-1B employees?" the senator's letter concluded, demanding rigorous enforcement to safeguard domestic employment.
