The debate surrounding foreign workers in the United States has intensified following a significant increase in H-1B visa fees. Now, US Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop granting work authorisations to student visa holders, arguing that they “compete against” American workers.
Grassley posted on X that he has written to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, pressing for a complete halt to such work permits.
“DHS needs 2 stop issuing work authorizations 2 student visa holders who compete against Americans It’s in direct violation of law &puts USA at risk of tech and corporate espionage I sent a letter 2 DHS Scty Noem asking her to end work authorizations 4 foreign student visa holders,” the Iowa Senator wrote.
His remarks come just days after the Trump administration announced a massive fee increase for the US H-1B visa, widely used by Indian IT professionals. From now on, companies must pay USD 100,000 (over Rs 88 lakh) annually for each H-1B visa.
Explaining the decision, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the higher cost was meant to discourage firms from using H-1B visas for training roles.
“A company that wants to buy an H-1B visa… it’s USD 100,000 per year. No longer will you put trainees on an H-1B visa – it’s just not economic anymore. If you’re going to train people, you’re going to train Americans,” he said.
The administration has also indicated that the H-1B lottery system could soon be scrapped.
Even as the US tightens its rules, Germany has underlined its commitment to predictable and stable migration policies, particularly for skilled workers from India, said a report by Mint.
German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann highlighted that Indians in Germany are thriving, saying, “Indians are among the top earners in Germany. The average Indian working in Germany earns more than the average German. And that’s pretty good news. Because a high salary means that Indians are contributing big time to our society and our welfare.”
Ackermann added that Germany does not “change our rules fundamentally over time,” and stressed that highly skilled Indians remain welcome in the country.