Washington: Main modifications could also be on the best way for expert immigration to america, with President Donald Trump’s allies setting their sights on a brand new and merit-based path for high-earning employees. The present H-1B visa and inexperienced card processes are below scrutiny because the Trump camp pushes a plan that may prioritise wages and {qualifications} over the present lottery methodology.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed on Monday that he’s immediately concerned within the overhaul efforts. Talking to Fox Information, he clarified that the Trump administration desires to maneuver away from what he sees as a flawed mannequin.
“We’re going to change the Inexperienced Card. We give inexperienced playing cards, however our common American makes $75,000 a 12 months whereas a median inexperienced card recipient will get $66,000 a 12 months. Why are we doing that? It’s like choosing the underside core,” he mentioned through the interview.
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“That’s the reason Donald Trump goes to alter it, and Gold Card is coming. With that we’re going to begin choosing the perfect individuals, and it’s time for that,” he mentioned.
Lutnick adopted up on X (previously Twitter), calling the present H-1B system “a rip-off that lets overseas employees fill American job alternatives”. “Hiring American employees must be the precedence of all nice American companies,” he wrote.
The present H1B visa system is a rip-off that lets overseas employees fill American job alternatives.
Hiring American employees must be the precedence of all nice American companies. Now’s the time to rent American. pic.twitter.com/l27HEhF7C3
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) August 26, 2025
The Trump camp’s plan contains changing the H-1B lottery with a wage-based distribution. Larger-salaried candidates could be thought of first below the proposed mannequin. Earlier this month, the U.S. Workplace of Info and Regulatory Affairs authorised a draft rule to pave the best way for this method.
The upcoming ‘Gold Card’ programme would function a brand new various to the Inexperienced Card. Whereas nonetheless below growth, it’s being designed to draw high-skilled and high-income people to dwell and work in america. The main focus is on bringing in top-tier expertise, in keeping with Trump’s “America First” technique.
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Indian professionals are retaining an in depth watch. For years, they’ve made up the lion’s share of H-1B holders, accounting for greater than 70% of recent recipients yearly, in line with U.S. immigration figures.
The information has set off debate on-line. A number of social media customers warned that shutting the door on expert overseas employees might have unintended penalties. Some argued that limiting the H-1B pool might push U.S. corporations to rent expertise remotely from international locations akin to India, relatively than growing alternatives for native employees.
I’ve to be trustworthy, and it hurts, however I feel we’re dropping this one. Too many have satisfied themselves that if we simply finish the H-1B, all People can have superb jobs and there will not be any corruption.
These of us prepared to assume know what’s going to truly occur: jobs… https://t.co/m6P7XBZXCZ
— Anna Okay. Gorisch (@AnnaGorisch) August 25, 2025