US Senator Tom Cotton Backs Trump’s H-1B Crackdown, Announces Bills to Prioritise American Workers

US Senator Tom Cotton has expressed strong support for reforms to the H-1B visa program, announcing plans to introduce two bills aimed at tightening oversight and prioritising American workers. Cotton stated on X, “President Trump and @SecretaryLCD are absolutely right that the H-1B program needs reforms. Next week I’m introducing two bills that will bring badly needed changes to this program and put American workers first.”

His remarks coincide with the launch of Project Firewall, a new initiative by the US Department of Labour described as one of the most aggressive enforcement measures in H-1B history. Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer explained that the initiative will investigate potential abuses of the H-1B program, ensuring that highly skilled jobs go to American workers first.

Key Features of Project Firewall:

• Proactive Investigations: The Secretary of Labour will personally certify investigations of employers suspected of H-1B violations.

• Fair Wages: Employers must pay H-1B workers at least the prevailing local wage or match pay offered to US employees with similar qualifications.

• Equal Treatment: H-1B workers must receive the same benefits as US employees.

• Recruitment Requirements: Companies may need to prove “good faith” efforts to hire American workers before issuing H-1B visas.

• Penalties for Violations: Employers found violating the rules may face fines, back wages, or temporary bans from the program.

• Inter-agency Cooperation: The Labour Department will coordinate with the Justice Department, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the EEOC to crack down on fraud and discrimination.

Global Implications:
India, the largest source of H-1B workers, has expressed caution over these reforms. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of a global workforce, noting that national demographics alone cannot meet current demand. He stressed the need for an “acceptable, contemporary, efficient model of a global workforce” while navigating protectionist policies, immigration restrictions, and shifting global supply chains.

The proposed bills by Senator Cotton, along with Project Firewall, signal a major shift in US immigration policy, prioritising domestic workforce protection while challenging global talent flows.