H-1B visas face biggest shake-up yet: Howard Lutnick slams ‘bizarre’ lottery, promises sweeping changes ahead

India Times ^ | 9/30/2025 | Nancy Jaiswal

[marcusmaximus]

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has signaled that the H-1B visa system will face key reforms before the $100,000 fee applies in 2026. He called the lottery “bizarre,” opposed low-cost hiring, and said visas must go to the most highly-skilled workers.

-snip-

Lutnick said the H-1B visa lottery system is flawed and needs reform. Referring to conversations with the heads of two leading global tech companies, he said they found the concept of allocating visas for skilled workers through a lottery “bizarre.” He argued that the US must ensure visas go only to the most highly skilled professionals.

-snip-

The commerce secretary took a strong stance against the use of inexpensive tech consultants and trainees. He argued that the practice of bringing in lower-paid workers on H-1B visas should be eliminated. Lutnick stated: “I am completely on the view that this idea that inexpensive tech consultants should be coming into this country and bringing their families, I find it just wrong.” He also suggested that the President shares his position on this issue.

According to Lutnick, H-1B visas are oversubscribed by a factor of seven to ten, with about 74 per cent of applications linked to tech consulting roles. He questioned the importance of requiring tech consultants to be physically present in the United States when much of that work can be done offshore. “H1B visas are for tech consultants? Like, somehow, that’s like important that tech consultants are onshore versus offshore. They’re all in other countries anyway,” he remarked.

[kiryandil]

Even if an AI bot were posting these H-1B threads, what’s the problem. They are great!!!

AI bots don't have hands to cut donation checks to Free Republic.

Get your own forum.

[central_va]

Good content is good content.

[vmpolesov]

Hey Marcus do you have any strong opinions on visas outside computing, say for medical doctors?

[marcusmaximus]

All of them need to be deported back to India.

[bitt]

p

[GOPJ]

He called the lottery “bizarre,” opposed low-cost hiring, and said visas must go to the most highly-skilled workers.

Going for the 'best and brightest' is ethical considering how many of India's best and brightest will choose to stay in India near their families. If we were successfully raiding their country of the best I'd be more worried. That said, one step below that - where we have companies hiring people from India AS CHEAP LABOR - that's gotta stop. America first - Americans first. $100,000 is a nice solution to the problem of 'cheap labor' from India. And hotel workers? Bring them in for 2 years and attach a thousand dollar fee to cover their trip home and a penalty if they overstay their work agreement. - then SEND THEM HOME. Farmers? They bring in illetals to pick the crops and when the season is over they dump these folks on American taxpayers until the next 'season' - next crops. NO that's NOT OK. Temporary workers can do this one and again a small fee with a penalty if they're not sent home at the end of the season. Reimbursing taxpayers for their costs if they don't leave on time might be a nice start. And trust me, if temporary workers are hired from around the world millions will apply for those jobs - - they'll be thrilled to be here and happy to follow the law to go back home when their temporty work is done.

[kiryandil]

It’s only programmed to do mostly one-liners.

[poconopundit]

Yeah, Liz.  Howard Lutnick is absolutely right.  Love this guy!

The giant tech companies are onboard with Trump's moves.  Most of the big wigs had dinner with the President a month ago. 

Some points to consider:

• Global internet capacity makes international teleconferences a snap.  A smart guy living in India can still be a "virtual" member of an American team in Austin, Silicon Valley, Redmond, etc.
  
  
• The over-riding issue for the tech giants is beating the competition.  H1B visas were a way to do that.  But now, as the H1B visa window closes, they must (and will) find other ways to gain a competitive edge.
  
  

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Aren’t you a British Subject?

Marcusbot isn't even human, and his developer is American.

Maybe you're confused because a previous version of Marcusbot always cited British tabloid media, but those days are long forgotten.