Archive · 21 Sep 2026
New Order Targets H-1B Employers Cutting American Jobs
President Trump signed a new order about the H-1B visa program.
This program lets some companies hire workers from other countries for specialized jobs.
The order tells officials to look more closely at companies that recently fired American workers.
It also applies when companies are planning similar layoffs.
Officials will check whether those companies are trying to hire foreign workers for comparable positions.
Several government departments will share wage, education, employment, and industry information.
The administration says some employers have used the program to lower wages or replace American workers.
The Labor Department will start reviewing older applications within 30 days.
President Trump signed the order on September 18, 2026, targeting potential abuse of the H-1B visa program.
Federal agencies must consider recent or planned layoffs of American workers when reviewing comparable H-1B positions.
The order directs the Departments of State, Labor, and Homeland Security to coordinate with other agencies and share relevant data.
The administration alleges that some employers use H-1B hiring to reduce wages, displace US workers, misrepresent jobs, or submit questionable credentials.
The Labor Department has 30 days to begin reviewing past labor condition applications, with enforcement details expected afterward.
- Who
- President Trump, federal agencies, H-1B employers, outsourcing firms, and third-party placement groups.
- What
- An executive order directs agencies to apply greater scrutiny to H-1B requests from employers that have recently laid off or plan to lay off American workers in comparable roles.
- When
- The order was signed and took effect on September 18, 2026; the Labor Department has a 30-day window to begin reviewing past applications.
- Where
- The order applies to the United States H-1B visa system and related federal agency reviews.
- Why
- The administration says some employers and outsourcing companies have used the program to undercut wages, displace US workers, misrepresent jobs, or submit improper applications.
- Order title
- “Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program”
- Effective date
- September 18, 2026
- Affected employers
- Companies, outsourcing firms, and third-party placement groups sponsoring H-1B workers
- Review factors
- Recent or planned layoffs of American workers in comparable positions
- Coordinating agencies
- The Departments of State, Labor, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Education, plus the Small Business Administration
- Cited wage gap
- The administration cites a gap of about $9,000 to $20,000 between H-1B workers and comparable US-born workers in some industries
- Labor Department timeline
- A 30-day window to begin reviewing past labor condition applications