Democrat Pleads With Trump To Do What?

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is calling for tougher oversight of the H-1B visa system, warning that major corporations may be using foreign labor to push American workers out of good-paying jobs — even as unemployment rises among young adults.

In a letter sent Wednesday, Gallego said he supports legal, high-skilled immigration, but stressed that these programs must never become a loophole that allows billion-dollar companies to undercut American wages or replace U.S. employees.

Tech Layoffs Surge — But Companies Hire Thousands of Foreign Workers

Gallego highlighted a growing red flag: while tech giants have laid off hundreds of thousands of American workers in recent years, they have also hired more than 30,000 foreign employees through the H-1B visa program.

He said this trend is hitting recent college graduates particularly hard, proving that “young American workers are ready, willing, and able to fill these jobs — if companies would hire them.”

A Bank of America Institute report showed the unemployment rate for young Americans climbed to 7.4%, even as national unemployment remained flat. Gallego said this proves the American Dream is slipping further out of reach for an entire generation.

‘The H-1B Program Is Meant to Support America — Not Replace Americans’

Gallego warned that the H-1B system is supposed to fill gaps, not serve as an incentive for companies to replace U.S. graduates with cheaper foreign labor.

He requested answers from:

• Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer
• USCIS Director Joseph Edlow
• Attorney General Pam Bondi

His questions centered on visa fraud, corporate abuse of the system, and whether companies that cut American jobs while hiring foreign labor will finally face consequences.

Trump Administration Takes Action: Massive Increase in H-1B Visa Fee

President Trump has said that while highly skilled workers are sometimes necessary, American companies must prioritize American talent first. Earlier this year, he replaced the visa lottery system with a merit-based framework focused on advanced skills and higher wages.

In September, Trump implemented a major change: raising the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the move was simple — if companies complain they “can’t find workers,” they should try hiring Americans instead of looking overseas.

This fee increase sparked immediate pushback from a coalition of religious groups, medical organizations, educators, and unions who warned about staffing shortages. But supporters argue the policy is a long-overdue correction to a program that has been abused for decades.

Conservative Leaders Speak Out: ‘Hire Americans First’

Trump’s move ignited strong reactions within conservative circles.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who recently split with Trump on several issues, said she remains “solidly against American workers being replaced by foreign labor, like with H-1Bs.”

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh echoed that message, saying:

“We need to train our own people. There is no shortage of American talent — only a shortage of companies willing to hire them.”

Meanwhile, analysts warn that Silicon Valley may be forced to rethink how much it relies on foreign labor. Critics of the fee increase — including David Bier of the Cato Institute — claim it could reduce innovation and economic output.

But many conservatives say protecting American workers is more important than protecting Big Tech’s bottom line.

Bottom Line for Readers

The debate over the H-1B visa system is heating up — and conservative voters are watching closely. With unemployment rising among young Americans and corporations turning to foreign labor, the question is simple:

Should the U.S. continue allowing companies to replace American workers, or should America finally put its own citizens first?