President Donald Trump has publicly defended the H-1B visa program, explaining that the United States lacks the requisite talent to fill numerous specialized job openings. During a recent interview, Trump pushed back against criticisms that the program depresses wages for American citizens, arguing that foreign expertise is indispensable for certain sectors. He pointed to advanced industries as examples where the U.S. workforce does not yet possess the necessary specialized knowledge. While defending the program’s purpose, the Trump administration has simultaneously implemented stringent reforms. These include introducing a substantial fee for certain new visa petitions and proposing a merit-based selection mechanism. These policy shifts have generated significant pushback from American universities and companies, who contend that the new regulations will create significant barriers to hiring international talent.
