US immigration lawyer Joseph Bovino is calling for big changes to the H-1B visa program, saying it puts foreign workers in a risky position and hurts American workers.
The H-1B visa lets US companies hire foreign workers for jobs that require special skills. Supporters say it helps fill positions when there aren’t enough qualified Americans. But critics argue that companies now use it mainly to save money, replace US workers, and keep wages low.
Bovino says the current rules make visa holders too dependent on a single employer. If they lose their job, they only have 60 days to find another sponsor or they must leave the country. This, he says, leaves them open to unfair treatment.
In a post on X, Bovino claimed some companies fire US workers and then hire H-1B workers for lower pay, even when qualified Americans are available. He pointed to Microsoft as an example, saying it laid off more than 15,000 workers but also filed over 14,000 H-1B applications for similar jobs.
Bovino also accused outsourcing companies—especially from India—of misusing the system. He said some apply for visas for jobs that don’t exist or keep workers “on the bench” until they’re needed, which goes against the program’s purpose.
Instead, Bovino suggested other visa types, like investor or O-1 visas, which he says are better for both workers and the US economy.
Online Debate
People online had mixed reactions. Some agreed with Bovino, saying H-1B visas should be harder to get and limited to the most highly skilled workers. Others argued the real problem is companies making big profits while laying off workers—both American and foreign.
One person wrote, “H-1B workers should be the first to be laid off. I think we should end most work visa programs altogether.” Another said, “There should be fewer H-1B slots, and only the best should get them.”
Some disagreed, noting that many H-1B workers were also affected by layoffs. “It’s not just Americans losing jobs,” one user said. “Plenty of people on visas have had to go back home.”
