JD Vance Calls H-1B Visa Programme 'Completely Broken'
US VP JD Vance suggests scrapping the H-1B visa programme to protect American jobs from corporate exploitation.
US Vice President JD Vance has launched a scathing critique of the H-1B visa programme, labeling the system as "completely broken" and suggesting that its total abolition may be the only solution. Speaking via a video on the social media platform X, Vance argued that the current framework is being exploited by corporations to replace American workers with cheaper international staff.
A Tool for Corporate Exploitation?
Vance asserted that the H-1B system is being "totally taken advantage of" across multiple industries, including technology firms and accounting practices. He drew a sharp distinction between the intended purpose of the programme—recruiting elite global talent—and its current usage, which he claims is often used to slash labor costs.
"If you’re going to bring in an accountant making $45,000 a year to replace an accountant who is an American making $60,000 a year, that’s not you using the programme to bring in a genius," Vance remarked. He continued, "That’s you destroying American jobs and defrauding the American people."
Defending the $100,000 H-1B Levy
The Vice President also voiced his support for the controversial $100,000 levy applied to certain H-1B petitions. This significant fee, which targets submissions for personnel located overseas, was introduced in September 2025. The administration recently extended this policy through September 21, 2027, allowing only narrow exceptions for matters of national interest.
According to Vance, this financial barrier serves as a necessary deterrent to prevent businesses from using H-1B permits solely to secure low-cost labor. "If you’re just trying to replace an American accountant with a cheaper foreign accountant, then you’re not going to pay $100,000," he stated.
Ongoing Reforms and Judicial Hurdles
The administration is currently implementing a series of extensive reforms to address these systemic issues. Recent measures include:
- An Executive Directive: Issued on September 18, instructing the Departments of State, Labour, and Homeland Security to evaluate if sponsoring firms have recently conducted layoffs of comparable domestic employees.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: The Labour Department has been mandated to investigate previously filed labour-condition applications for potential violations.
- Tiered Selection: A new mechanism that prioritizes roles offering higher salaries.
Despite these efforts, Vance suggested that such adjustments might not be enough to fix the core flaws. "My view is the H-1B programme is completely broken, and I’d be very supportive of just eliminating it," Vance said. "But while we have it, what we have to do is protect American workers."
These political statements come at a sensitive time, as the $100,000 fee faces persistent legal battles. On October 1, a federal magistrate issued an injunction against the charge, ruling that the administration failed to follow mandatory administrative rulemaking protocols. This follows a similar judicial injunction issued earlier this year.