American Dream for Americans: Trump Administration’s H-1B Visa Misuse Video Sparks Controversy with Bold India Mention

The US Department of Labor has released a new video advertisement alleging widespread misuse of the H-1B visa program, claiming that foreign workers have “stolen” the American dream from US citizens. The video prominently features India, showing it as the country with the largest share of H-1B visa holders at 72%, according to a pie-chart displayed in the clip.

The 52-second video, shared on the department’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, accuses companies and government officials of enabling H-1B visa abuse. “Many young Americans have had this dream stolen from them by foreign workers as politicians and bureaucrats allowed companies to abuse the H-1B visa,” says the voiceover. The video concludes with the message: “Recapturing the American Dream for American People.”

🔸 Trump’s “Project Firewall” Targets H-1B Visa Abuse

The ad highlights President Donald Trump’s “Project Firewall”, a new initiative aimed at holding companies accountable for alleged visa misuse and ensuring that American workers are prioritized in hiring.

This comes amid a fresh wave of anti-immigration policies under Trump’s administration, focused on tightening visa norms and restricting the entry of foreign professionals.

🔸 India at the Center of H-1B Debate

According to data from the Office of Homeland Security, India continues to dominate the H-1B landscape, accounting for 33% of all non-immigrant workers in the US during fiscal year 2024. The new video’s mention of India has reignited discussions on the role of Indian tech professionals in America’s workforce, particularly in sectors like IT, engineering, and medicine.

🔸 The $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

At the beginning of September, Trump proclaimed a one-time $100,000 fee on each H-1B visa application—the decision took effect on September 21, 2025. The news stirred up a lot of worries, mainly among the Indian community living in the US who are working on H-1B visas.

After receiving negative feedback, the White House stated that the new fee is a single charge and will not affect the visas that are already granted. The government justified the action by claiming that it was meant to limit H-1B visas to only those highly skilled professionals who are irreplaceable by American workers.

🔸 About the H-1B Visa Program

The H-1B visa is an immigration program that is non-immigrant and permits foreign experts to be hired by US employers in such fields as technology, healthcare, and research. It is usually issued for a period of three years, which can be extended to six, and it allows the holders of the visa to stay and work in the US legally.

The reforms to the program have been a constant argument by the Trump administration as they claimed the reforms were necessary in order to prevent American jobs from being lost to foreigners and to decrease the dependence on foreign labor. On the other hand, the critics view these measures as politically motivated and detrimental to the US tech industry.