US Congressman Riley Moore has alleged that H-1B visa holders are replacing American computer science graduates, claiming employers are increasingly turning to foreign workers who are willing to accept lower wages. Moore criticized the H-1B visa programme, arguing that it has deviated from its original intent and instead functions as a pipeline for cheaper labour.
In a social media post featuring an excerpt from a television interview, Moore labeled the H-1B and Optional Practical Training programmes as scams that undercut domestic professionals. He stated that while hundreds of thousands of American students graduate with computer science and programming degrees annually, hundreds of thousands of H-1B visas are issued, predominantly to individuals from China and India.
Elaborating during his appearance on The Scott Jennings Show on the Salem News Channel, Moore expressed concern that young domestic graduates are being edged out because foreign workers take on the roles at reduced pay rates. He asserted that the original premise of bringing in top global talent to address domestic labor shortages has failed to materialize, resulting instead in undercutting new graduates entering fields like computer science and accounting.
In addition to wage concerns, the congressman alleged that the visa framework facilitates chain migration, claiming that typical H-1B visa holders bring numerous family members with them to the United States. Meanwhile, the broader regulatory landscape for temporary work visas faces potential shifts, as the US Department of Homeland Security has proposed changes that could alter how immigration officials review visa extension applications by removing previous deference standards.
Immigration data underscores the prominent role of nationals from specific countries within the system, with Indian nationals accounting for roughly seventy percent of all H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025 according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services figures.