'American Dream Stolen': Trump Administration Releases Video On H-1B Misuse, Mentions India

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 15:49 IST

The US Department of Labour released a new video highlighting the misuse of H-1B visas and how the American dream was "stolen" from American citizens by foreign workers.

Trump has hiked H-1B visa citing misuse by companies to hire foreign workers. (Representative image)

The US Department of Labour released a new video highlighting the misuse of H-1B visas and how the American dream was “stolen" from American citizens at the hands of foreign workers. The video included a mention of India, which accounts for over 70% of H-1B visa workers.

“For generations, we’ve told Americans that if they work hard enough, they can achieve the American dream. But many Americans have had this dream stolen from them. Their jobs were replaced by foreign workers as politicians and bureaucrats allowed companies to abuse the H-1B visa," says the voiceover in the video.

The video showed a pie-chart of H-1B workers in the United States, where India with the highest share of 72% visa-holders, followed by China at 12%. It also highlighted that the median salary of an H-1B visa holder in a computer-related job was $123,000, higher than the median salary of American workers.

“Now, President (Donald) Trump is delivering a new opportunity for young Americans. Through Project Firewall, we are taking action to hold companies accountable for H-1B abuse and ensure they prioritise Americans in the hiring process – recapturing the American Dream for the American People," the video added.

What Is Project Firewall?

Project Firewall refers to the Trump administration’s initiative to safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers by ensuring employers prioritise qualified Americans when hiring workers and holding employers accountable if they abuse the H-1B visa process.

As per this project, the Department of Labour will conduct investigations of employers through Project Firewall to maximise H-1B programme compliance. It will also share information and coordinate with relevant government agencies, as permitted by law, to combat discrimination against American workers and ensure the law is properly enforced by leveraging the full force of the federal government.

Trump’s H-1B Crackdown

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month that sent shockwaves through global tech hubs: a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions, effective October 6. The move, targeting the programme that brings skilled workers – 70% of them Indian – to US shores, aims to prioritise American jobs.

Several companies have either paused or scaled back H-1B visa sponsorships after Trump’s crackdown. On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state universities will no longer be allowed to hire foreign workers on H-1B visas, ordering them to prioritise American workers.

The H-1B visa, introduced under the Immigration Act of 1990, has historically allowed US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialised fields where domestic talent is insufficient. Currently, 65,000 H-1B visas are issued annually, with an additional 20,000 set aside for individuals holding a US master’s degree or higher.

Indians have traditionally been the largest beneficiaries of the program, accounting for roughly 75% of all H-1B visas in 2023, with professionals employed across global tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

News world 'American Dream Stolen': Trump Administration Releases Video On H-1B Misuse, Mentions India

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