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JD Vance Slams H-1B Visa Program Over Alleged Fraud And Wage Suppression
- •US Vice President JD Vance criticized the H-1B visa programme, alleging that companies use it to replace American workers and suppress wages.
- •The remarks coincide with the Trump administration suspending major technology and IT companies from the PERM programme amid federal investigations.
- •Vance claimed that some firms exploit the system by advertising jobs without receiving responses, then hiring foreign workers through the H-1B system.
- •He described H-1B workers as vulnerable to exploitation because their legal status is tied to their employment, likening them to indentured servants.
- •The H-1B is a temporary US work visa enabling employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised fields like technology and engineering.
Key Questions Answered
US Vice President JD Vance criticized the H-1B visa programme as being rife with fraud, alleging that companies have misused the system to replace American workers with foreign employees, suppress wages, and exploit vulnerable workers whose immigration status is linked to their jobs. He stated that the system, originally intended for specialized recruitment, has been heavily abused.
The Trump administration announced the suspension of Microsoft and several other major technology and IT companies from the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme amid federal investigations. The action also covers major outsourcing firms such as Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini due to alleged fraud and concerns over worker displacement.
The H-1B is a temporary US work visa designed to let American employers hire foreign nationals for specialized occupations requiring high-level technical or theoretical expertise. While supporters argue it grants access to global talent, critics raise concerns regarding its impact on domestic wages and local employment.
