Bipartisan Lawmakers Press Companies on H-1B Usage, Seek More Restrictions

Sen. Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Durbin (D-IL) sent letters to several major companies seeking details on their use of H-1B visas, as the Trump administration moves to tighten oversight.

Why it matters: The letters heighten pressure on companies that rely on H-1B workers and underscore bipartisan opposition to the program.  

The letters: Companies received several questions related to H-1B visa usage, with a particular focus on why employers are funneling American jobs to foreign workers. Information sought by the letters includes:

• The number of H-1B workers employed;

• Whether American workers have been displaced by H-1B workers;

• What H-1B workers are being paid as compared to comparable American workers;

• The extent of good-faith efforts to hire American workers first; and

• Whether recruitment of H-1B workers occurs separately from advertised opportunities for American candidates.

The companies targeted extend beyond Big Tech—historically the largest users of H-1B talent—to include several F100 employers in finance, tech, and manufacturing. Companies are asked to respond by October 10.

More restrictions on H-1B and L-1 visas on the horizon? Sens. Grassley and Durbin are also expected to reintroduce the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act, which would impose new wage, recruitment, and attestation requirements on employers sponsoring the two types of visas, among other restrictions, as well as increased penalties for employers.

• The effort has some bipartisan support dating back to its original introduction nearly 20 years ago, which improve its chances of actually becoming a law.

• Current focus on employer-sponsored immigration further increases the likelihood of legislative momentum, though passage in today’s polarized climate remains a longshot.

Student work authorizations also under scrutiny: Sen. Grassley also sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, calling for the agency to end issuing work authorizations for student visa holders and questioning the agency’s legal authority to do so. Citing Federal Reserve data on high unemployment among young U.S. graduates—including STEM major—the letter argues that competition from foreign graduates worsens employment prospects for Americans.

The bottom line: Grassley’s letters, combined with legislative efforts and the President’s proposed $100k H-1B fee, represent a significant push against employer-sponsored immigration. Employers relying on these programs should anticipate increased political and regulatory risk, with direct implications for workforce planning, talent strategy, and compliance.