Washington: The US administration under President Donald Trump is planning sweeping changes to its immigration system, including a revamp of the H-1B visa programme and the Green Card process, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said this week.
H-1B and Green Card in Focus
Calling the current H-1B visa system “a scam,” Lutnick argued that foreign workers were taking away opportunities meant for Americans. “Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses,” he said in an interview with Fox News.
He added that the existing lottery system for allocating H-1B visas would be scrapped in favour of a wage-based selection process, giving preference to higher-paid, “quality” talent.
On Green Cards, Lutnick criticised the current setup, claiming that the average earnings of recipients were lower than those of American citizens. “Why are we doing that? It’s like picking the bottom core,” he said.
The ‘Gold Card’ Plan
Lutnick revealed details of Trump’s proposed ‘Gold Card’, which would grant US residency only to wealthy foreigners who invest at least $5 million in the country. According to him, nearly 250,000 people are already in line, potentially bringing in $1.25 trillion in investment revenue.
“We’re going to change the programme because it’s terrible. That’s the Gold Card that’s coming — and we’re going to start picking the best people to come into this country,” he said.
Trump’s Mixed Stance on H-1B
Interestingly, Trump himself has struck a more nuanced tone on H-1B visas in recent months. In January 2025, he described the programme as a way to attract “capable and talented” people from abroad, arguing that skilled immigration helps expand businesses and strengthens the economy.
During his first term, however, the administration imposed restrictions on H-1B visas, claiming the system was being misused to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour.
The upcoming reforms could impact thousands of Indian professionals, who make up the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries.
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