Overview
- Sen. Ruben Gallego urged the administration to intensify H‑1B oversight, citing layoffs at major firms alongside continued visa hiring and warning against using the program to replace U.S. workers.
- Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the Justice Department’s civil rights division is currently investigating some of the largest tech companies for compliance with federal law in their hiring practices.
- A Reuters‑reported State Department cable instructs consular officers to scrutinize applicants’ work histories for involvement in social media “censorship” and to deny visas if such roles are found.
- Analysts argue reform should curb consulting‑firm abuses to free slots for top engineers, while economists warn a proposed $100,000 supplemental fee could weaken U.S. growth.
- Labor and USCIS did not respond to requests for comment, and any tightening could significantly affect Indian professionals who comprise the largest share of H‑1B holders.