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H-1B visa row: Indian-origin Howard professor ignites debate with ‘average-grade labor’ remark
Hindustan Times ^ | Sowetan Kukreti

Posted on 11/24/2025 5:05:24 AM PST by libh8er

Ron Hira, Indian-origin professor at Howard University and a prominent critic of the H-1B visa program, has once again raised questions regarding the operation of this program in the US. In a post on X, Hira claimed that a considerable number of H-1B visa holders are of average quality and could be sourced domestically.

Given that Indians constitute the largest proportion of H-1B visa holders, Hira's critique was sure to attract attention. As the son of Indian immigrants who came to the US in the 1950s, well before the establishment of the H-1B system, his perspective sparked further discussion. ‘H-1B must be radically reformed,’ says Howard professor In a post on X, Hira mentioned that “A significant number of H-1B visa holders are average-grade labor that could be supplied domestically. Meanwhile, recent U.S. college students can’t find work in their field of study, and AI threatens to further disrupt the labor market. ” During a Heritage Foundation event, Hira elaborated on his views about the shortcomings of the existing system for both foreign and American workers. He stressed that rather than displacing American workers, the focus should be on reorganizing labor laws to guarantee that the H-1B program does not lower wages, protects all workers, and successfully handles actual labor shortages.

In an online video, Hira demonstrated real-life instances of how companies reportedly take profit from legal gaps. He gave an example of Deloitte Consulting, a leading H-1B company, that accepted an application in 2023. “And here the employer, Deloitte Consulting, a top 10 H-1B employer, is claiming that a position in its own job title is senior consultant. That’s Deloitte Consulting describing the position. A senior consultant is actually an entry-level position when it comes to setting the prevailing wage for the H-1B worker,” he stated. “Is a senior consultant entry-level? Probably not,” Hira added.

Hira's remarks sparked considerable debate on the internet. “And what is the ethnicity of the speaker? Indian? Exactly,” one individual commented. Another inquired, “Why are South Asian people being made the face of the immigration-restriction movement here? Surely you can find people from historically rooted American communities to share this message?” A third participant remarked, “Yet the Heritage Foundation wants to destroy all of our public institutions and privatize everything, giving these greedy corporations even more power. They will continue to offshore jobs and hire foreign labor while telling us we’re too stupid for the good jobs.” “Well, this looks like just another case of ‘H-1Bs against H-1B.’ Clearly these Indians don’t want more Indians to come,” one more chimed in.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: h1b; h1btruth
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To: Flavious_Maximus

“ALL of them are average. Very few are “highly skilled””

I can confirm this: the H-1B visa holders I work with are no more skilled than my American coworkers. The youngest H-1B in my team often came to me for help with programming problems, while his peers didn’t need the same assistance. Maybe the $100K application fee should apply to all H-1B holders, not just new hires.


21 posted on 11/24/2025 6:07:36 AM PST by DEPcom
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To: libh8er

H1B was meant to import highly skilled workers when there were NO US workers available.
Not importing low cost laborers to undercut US wages!


22 posted on 11/24/2025 6:07:53 AM PST by AZJeep (sane )
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To: libh8er

“You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory, we’re going to make missiles.’”

Trump

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5601588-trump-h1b-visas-talent/


23 posted on 11/24/2025 6:07:58 AM PST by Brian Griffin
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To: libh8er
U.S. college students can’t find work in their field of study,

That speaks either to a lack of job-seeking skills or a pre-eminence of entitlement.

24 posted on 11/24/2025 6:09:34 AM PST by HIDEK6 (God bless Donald Trump )
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To: Brian Griffin

“chain migration every techie can bring is mother and father”

I noticed that our techie married a woman in India, brought both sets of parents over, and now they run a convenience store with their relatives while he works his day job as a programmer.


25 posted on 11/24/2025 6:10:16 AM PST by DEPcom
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To: All

In fiscal year 2024, approximately 283,397 Indian nationals received H-1B visas, representing about 71% of all approvals. The median salary for H-1B visa holders in 2024 was $120,000, although nearly 60% of Indian H-1B holders earned $100,000 or less.

While many H-1B roles are specialized, particularly in computer-related fields, there are differing views on whether the roles are consistently “average-grade” or skilled.

Total approvals for Indians (FY2024): 283,397
Percentage of all H-1B approvals: ~71%
Second-highest country: China, with 46,680 visas (11.7%)
Salary and occupational categories
Median salary: $120,000 in 2024
Indian salaries:
Nearly 60% earned $100,000 or less.
About 47% earned between $75,000 and $100,000.
40% earned over $100,000.


Computer-related occupations were the largest category, accounting for 64% of all H-1B beneficiaries in FY2024.

“Systems analysis and programming” was the largest detailed occupational group, representing 52% of all beneficiaries.

The H-1B visa is designed for professionals in “specialty occupations” requiring specialized knowledge. Some argue that H-1B visa holders are crucial for filling skill gaps in fields like AI.


Some critics, including an Indian-origin professor at Howard University, have argued that a significant number of H-1B visa holders are performing “average-grade labor” that could be supplied domestically. This has sparked debate about the current system’s ability to protect both foreign and American workers and prevent wage depression.


26 posted on 11/24/2025 6:13:46 AM PST by Liz ("Socialism is a wonderful idea. It's just that it's been disastrous." Thomas Sowell. )
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To: libh8er

Are all the Universities run by Indians or foreigners and is that the reason they’re taking billions of dollars from muslims ?


27 posted on 11/24/2025 6:18:24 AM PST by butlerweave (Fateh)
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To: DEPcom

My neighbor’s daughter tried to get a job with Musk’s rocket company.

The company told her she’d have to have to do a two-week stint with the company.

She didn’t want to burn through two weeks of vacation time to do so.


28 posted on 11/24/2025 6:19:05 AM PST by Brian Griffin
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To: butlerweave

“....is that the reason they’re taking billions of dollars from muslims?”

Tucker Carlson could answer that.


29 posted on 11/24/2025 6:21:28 AM PST by Brian Griffin
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To: Jonty30

I have to agree with you. I came on student visa in 1960 to work on masters degree in mechanical engineering. This is a difficult curriculum with highest percentage of dropouts. after receiving degree, I was allowed to work in my field of study for 18 months with student visa. After 18 months working at a large manufacturing outfit, I was ready to head home. But the company wanted me to keep working and sponsored me for permanent visa. When I was promoted to managerial positions in engineering department, I had opportunity to hire many workers. I hired 1 Indian, 2 Lithuanians, 1 Chinese and a dozen+ Americans. The worst applicants were American blacks who could not recite simple definition of sine or cosine. Very sad and disappointing because out outfit was located on south side of Chicago, a predominantly black area.
Most Indian applicants with degrees could not recite formula for horsepower. So I hired mostly American kids with a couple of years in college and trained them. They were fast learners.


30 posted on 11/24/2025 6:24:18 AM PST by Bobbyvotes (Work is worship! .... Bhagavad Geeta)
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To: HIDEK6

“That speaks either to a lack of job-seeking skills or a pre-eminence of entitlement.”

The tech field is subject to booms and busts.


31 posted on 11/24/2025 6:31:15 AM PST by Brian Griffin
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To: Jonty30

Old information that’s not relevant to the discussion.

But we need mass deportations, not the onesy-twosy, “bad hombre” encounters for show, along with a generation’s moratorium on new immigration.


32 posted on 11/24/2025 6:34:50 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: libh8er

Good for him. He is loyal to USA interests and IT guys and IT grads born here. Not fresh off the boat H1Bs. That Tata and other H1B body brokers make mega profits off of.


33 posted on 11/24/2025 6:42:44 AM PST by dennisw (There is no limit to human stupidity / )
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To: libh8er

If Mr. Indian-origin doesn’t like it, I suggest he goes home.


34 posted on 11/24/2025 6:57:52 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer ("Indiginous Indian Day is now gone with RATS trying to pass themselves off as Rockwell Americans.)
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To: Brian Griffin
Chain migration should require living in the same dwelling for as long as you are here.

Be careful what you wish for. Next thing you know there will be 30 foreigners living together in the house next door, cars littering the street, and the unctuous smells of their cooking wafting into your home. Texans have been dealing with it since Jorge Boooosh decided illegal immigration was an act of love.

35 posted on 11/24/2025 7:17:16 AM PST by RightOnTheBorder
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To: libh8er
"Employers argue H-1b is necessary to fill 'shortages,' claiming they simply can't find Americans to work these jobs.

The data tell a different story

American STEM and tech students have some of the highest post-grad unemployment rates of any major in the job market."

56725-E7-B-CCF1-405-B-9708-D2-FBEBFA9749

36 posted on 11/24/2025 7:18:54 AM PST by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: Flavious_Maximus

That’s why they call it “curry-code”.


37 posted on 11/24/2025 7:48:19 AM PST by packrat35 (“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)
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To: RightOnTheBorder
and most consuming more social services than they contribute.

Bears repeating. This is the problem with MOST immigtration LEGAL and illegal.

38 posted on 11/24/2025 7:50:56 AM PST by packrat35 (“When discourse ends, violence begins.” – Charlie Kirk, and they killed him anyway)
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To: libh8er

No. Sorry. I realize my mistake now.


39 posted on 11/24/2025 7:51:23 AM PST by nwrep
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To: libh8er

No. Sorry. I realize my mistake now.


40 posted on 11/24/2025 7:51:26 AM PST by nwrep
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