Trump Administration Approves Over 120,000 H-1B Visas for 2026 Amid Tech Industry Layoffs

Trump Administration Approves Over 120,000 H-1B Visas for 2026 Amid Tech Industry Layoffs

The Trump administration has approved 120,141 H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2026, as reported by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This decision comes during a period of significant layoffs in the U.S. tech industry, with over 50,000 job cuts reported between January and April 2025. The approval has sparked criticism from some quarters, particularly among those who argue that the influx of foreign workers may exacerbate job losses for American tech professionals.

The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue within the Republican Party, with divisions between the tech sector and the "America First" faction. While some, like tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, have defended the program, others, including commentator Jack Posobiec, have criticized it for potentially displacing American workers. Despite the controversy, the number of approved H-1B visas for 2026 aligns with figures from previous years, suggesting a consistent demand for skilled foreign labor.

Prominent figures have weighed in on the debate, with Elon Musk advocating for reforms to the H-1B program, such as increasing minimum salaries and adding annual maintenance costs to make hiring foreign workers more expensive than domestic ones. Ramaswamy has emphasized cultural factors, suggesting that American society should place greater value on academic and technical achievements to remain competitive. These discussions highlight the ongoing debate over balancing the needs of the domestic workforce with the benefits of attracting global talent.

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Source: PM.

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