Quick Read
- U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that America needs to import skilled foreign workers because “you don’t have certain talents” domestically, even as his administration moves to raise barriers for the H‑1B visa programme.
- His remarks come amidst proposals to impose a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications and a push to prioritize only the highest-paid foreign workers.
- Indian nationals accounted for over 70 % of new H-1B visas in 2024, making these changes especially relevant for India-U.S. tech and services ties.
What Did Trump Say & Why It Matters
In a November 2025 interview, Trump responded to host Laura Ingraham, who asked if the U.S. still needed H-1B visas. He said:
“No —you don’t [have the talent]. There are certain skills you don’t have. … You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory where we’re making missiles.’”
This marks a shift from earlier stances emphasising “America First” and limiting foreign workers. Now, Trump appears to recognise the gap in specialised skills, especially in defence and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, his administration is tightening access and increasing costs for newcomers.
Impact on India & The Tech Workforce
- India supplies a large share of H-1B wage-earners in the U.S., especially in IT and engineering; any tightening affects career paths and cross-border mobility.
- U.S. tech firms warn that high fees or strict rules could raise costs or push firms to relocate operations.
- For Indian professionals, the message is mixed: the U.S. still needs specialised talent, yet the entry barrier is rising.
Where This Leaves the H-1B Debate
Trump’s remarks underline a dual strategy: maintain access to the best global talent and protect American workers by raising wages and restricting broader inflows. The tension reflects a key policy challenge: how to balance open innovation with workforce protection.
In short, while the U.S. says it still needs foreign specialists, the cost and rules to bring them in are changing dramatically. Professionals in India and tech firms globally should watch this space closely it could reshape migration and talent flows for years.
