US Congressman Riley Moore Alleges H-1B Visa Holders Undercut American Workers

US Congressman Riley Moore has publicly criticized the H-1B visa system, alleging that American computer science graduates are losing job opportunities to foreign workers willing to accept lower wages. Moore described the H-1B and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs as “SCAMS” in a post on X, claiming they enable employers to hire cheaper foreign labor over American employees.

Moore elaborated on his concerns during an appearance on The Scott Jennings Show, broadcast by the Salem News Channel. He argued that the H-1B program, originally promoted to bring highly skilled workers for jobs Americans could not fill, is now being exploited by companies to access less expensive foreign labor. The Congressman stated, “What it is, is importing cheap labour that is undercutting a lot of our young college graduates,” specifically mentioning graduates in computer science and accounting.

The Congressman further alleged that H-1B workers often accept lower pay, creating downward pressure on wages for American graduates entering the workforce. Moore also claimed that H-1B visa holders bring family members to the US, linking the program to what he termed “chain migration.” He compared the approximately 650,000 Americans who graduated with computer science-related degrees last year with the more than 500,000 H-1B visas issued.

These comments coincide with proposed changes from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning temporary work visa extensions, including H-1B and L-1 visas. The DHS proposal would allow immigration officers to reconsider an applicant’s eligibility even if a previous application was approved under similar circumstances. This change seeks to remove a provision, 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5), which currently requires US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to defer to prior approvals for the same parties and underlying facts. The rule is not yet implemented, with DHS currently seeking public feedback. The debate holds particular significance for Indian professionals, who constituted around 70% of all H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025, according to USCIS data.

What to watch: Public feedback on proposed DHS visa rule changes.

Editor's note: The draft accurately summarizes the Congressman's allegations and the context regarding the proposed DHS rules.