Fox News host Will Cain has stirred significant conversation surrounding the H-1B visa program, questioning its purpose and how it affects American jobs. His remarks on November 12, 2025, highlight a trend resonating with many who believe corporate America, particularly in Big Tech, leans too heavily on foreign labor at the expense of domestic workers.
Cain’s central argument challenges the narrative of a supposed shortage of skilled American tech workers. He stated, “Eighty percent of H-1B visa approvals are for entry and junior-level jobs.” This observation cuts through the rhetoric often used to justify the H-1B program. Rather than emphasizing the recruitment of highly skilled individuals, Cain argues it facilitates a far different outcome: replacing American workers with cheaper alternatives.
Backing his argument, he noted that a staggering 70% of H-1B visas are allocated to Indian nationals, with an additional 10–15% claimed by applicants from China. Such statistics lead one to wonder about the program’s goals. If the intent was to fill genuine skill shortages at elite levels, the focus on that particular demographic seems misaligned.
Cain’s comments are contextualized by ongoing investigations from the Trump administration into H-1B abuses. With nearly 200 inquiries underway, the focus lies on whether major companies are exploiting this program to sidestep their responsibilities to American workers. The implications of these investigations lend weight to Cain’s critique, suggesting there’s merit in the concerns of those who feel sidelined.
Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus and defense-tech firm Anduril, echoed Cain’s stance. Luckey characterized the H-1B program as a way to replace American workers with “slave labor that can’t ever escape,” highlighting the precarious situation for those on temporary work visas. This sentiment resonates with many who fear that the competition generated by foreign labor is not truly fair labor competition.
Legislative responses are also gaining traction. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s proposal to phase out the H-1B program within five years reflects broader frustration among lawmakers regarding corporate manipulation of visa programs. Greene noted, “Big Tech, AI giants, hospitals, and industries across the board have abused the H-1B system to cut out our people.” Such statements suggest growing impatience with the prevailing status quo and urgency for reform to protect American jobs.
Data underscores the rising concern over the H-1B program. Originally designed to attract highly specialized workers, approval trends reveal a disturbing shift towards routine IT positions. Roles like software testing and database management now dominate the approvals, commonly falling below median wage levels. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that over 75% of H-1B approvals from 2018 to 2024 were for positions that did not meet the national median wage. This raises crucial questions about whether the program achieves its intended purpose or simply depresses wages.
The impact on American workers is evident. A 2023 study from the Center for Immigration Studies found that U.S. wages in various IT sectors have remained stagnant, resulting in an estimated $12–15 billion in lost income annually due to H-1B visa competition. Such figures vividly illustrate how the H-1B program could undermine the livelihoods of American employees.
Supporters of the program argue it empowers U.S. businesses to innovate and compete globally. Yet, many critics see through this reasoning. Cain argues, “They’re not hiring the best. They’re hiring the cheapest.” This sentiment resonates with displaced American workers, who feel the pressures of a system that seemingly favors foreign talent over local expertise.
The Department of Labor’s comprehensive investigations into the H-1B program signal a forthcoming shift. If investigations uncover widespread misuse, reform possibilities loom on the horizon. Adjustments could include stricter oversight, increased penalties, and caps on H-1B visas. Some legislators are even discussing the potential to eliminate the program entirely unless companies can demonstrate a lack of qualified American applicants.
Workers impacted by H-1B hiring practices are voicing their distress. Reports from states such as Ohio and Michigan indicate that many former employees in the tech sector are being laid off only to be asked to train their foreign replacements. One former project manager recounted feeling a “betrayal,” illustrating the emotional toll on those who once contributed to their teams only to see their positions replaced at a fraction of their wages.
In the midst of rising criticism, Cain remains unwavering. His statement, “Americans want to work, but they’re being priced out of the market by an immigration system rigged against them,” captures the essence of the debate. With undeniable evidence gathered from multiple fronts, Cain has begun to influence the larger discourse on this issue, raising questions about how it will unite or divide lawmakers heading into the next electoral cycle.
The conversation surrounding the H-1B visa program is evolving rapidly. As advocates for reform push against corporate giants, the future of American labor in tech hangs in the balance. The road ahead will require not only political will but a deep understanding of the realities faced by workers at all levels of the economy.
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