'We need actual geniuses': H-1B should not exist to replace American workers with low-wage foreigners — US Vice President Vance

Washington, DC: United States Vice President JD Vance has spoken out against administrative changes to the H-1B visa program, aiming to prioritize top-tier talent over replacing domestic professionals with low-wage foreigners. In an interview on the popular All-In Podcast, Vance explained that legislative reform was unlikely due to political deadlock: "Congress just isn't going to pass a law changing this.

So what are the things that we can do administratively to ensure that if a tech company is going to try to get an H-1B visa, it's an actual genius?" He clarified that the purpose of the program was to enrich the tech ecosystem and American economy, not merely replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. To implement this aim, Vance proposed imposing a $100,000 fee on companies applying for H-1B visas and investigating ways to prevent them from laying off American workers.

He criticized companies that falsely claim a shortage of workers while subsequently laying off large numbers of employees, stating, "We can't find the workers. And then you go and look at their history and they've laid off 5,000 people. Well, that's ridiculous." Vance emphasized that the administration would continue to act within legal boundaries despite facing lawsuits, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the H-1B visa program benefits the American economy.