What's happened
The US is expected to sign new rules for H-1B visas, which are intended to attract high-skilled foreign workers. Critics argue the program has become a pipeline for overseas workers willing to accept lower wages, often undercutting US tech salaries. The move is scheduled for today, September 26, 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The impending signing of new H-1B visa rules signals a significant shift in US immigration policy. While designed to attract top talent, the program has increasingly been exploited as a low-cost labor pipeline, undermining US tech wages. The scheduled change suggests a tightening of eligibility or wage requirements, aiming to curb the use of the program for entry-level or lower-skilled roles. This move will likely benefit US workers by reducing wage suppression but could also impact tech companies' ability to fill specialized roles quickly. The focus on high-skilled immigration reflects broader economic concerns about maintaining US competitiveness while addressing labor protections. The policy shift may also influence global perceptions of US openness to foreign talent, potentially prompting other countries to adjust their own visa programs.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the US is set to sign new H-1B visa rules, with critics arguing the program has become a low-wage pipeline for overseas workers, often paid less than US counterparts. AP News highlights that the program was created to fill hard-to-find roles but has been exploited to pay lower wages, especially in tech hubs like California. Both sources emphasize the program's original intent versus its current use, with Amazon and other tech giants being major recipients. The timing of the signing suggests a policy response to ongoing debates about labor protections and wage fairness in the tech industry.
How we got here
H-1B visas, created in 1990, aim to bring skilled foreign workers to fill hard-to-find roles in science, technology, engineering, and math. Over time, the program has faced criticism for enabling companies to pay lower wages and displacing US workers, with the lottery system allocating 85,000 visas annually. Major recipients include Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, with California hosting the highest number of H-1B workers.
Go deeper
- How will the new rules change the visa lottery system?
- Will this impact the number of foreign workers in US tech companies?
- What are critics saying about the potential effects on wages?
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