Post by : Rameen Ariff

The United States government is planning a big change in its H1B visa and green card system. This move, led by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and supported by President Donald Trump, could affect millions of foreign workers and students—many of them from India.

What is Happening?

Howard Lutnick has called the H1B visa system a "scam." He says that the current program allows foreign workers to take jobs that should go to Americans first. According to him, American companies must focus on hiring American workers before looking outside the country.

Lutnick also said that many green card holders earn less money than American workers. He gave an example: the average American worker makes about $75,000 a year, while the average green card holder makes around $66,000. He argued that this shows the system is not bringing in the “best talent.”

The Trump team now wants to bring a new plan called the “gold card.” This plan will focus on choosing only the most skilled and high-earning people to come into the US.

The Expected Changes

The changes are likely to include:

• Ending the H1B lottery system (which picks applicants randomly).

• Starting a wage-based system, where people with higher salaries get priority.

• Making the green card process stricter, so only the “best people” are allowed.

These changes are already being prepared, as the US has approved draft rules for them.

Why Does This Matter?

For years, India has been the largest user of the H1B program, with about 70% of the visas going to Indian workers and students. If the system changes, Indian professionals could face more difficulties in working and settling in the US.

Students hoping to build careers in America may also be affected, as the rules for study and work visas are becoming tighter.

Other Recent Actions

The Trump government has already taken steps that make life harder for foreign workers:

• The Ombudsman’s office, which helped immigrants with visa problems, was closed this year.

• H1B holders must now give more personal details, such as biometrics and home addresses.

• US Vice President JD Vance also said that a green card does not mean a person has the right to stay in America forever.

This has raised more doubts about the future of green cards.

What Could the Future Look Like?

The “gold card” is being promoted as a new system that will replace the old green card. If this happens, only top professionals and high-income workers may be allowed to enter and stay in the US.

This shows a big shift in American immigration policy: the focus will no longer be on giving opportunities to many, but on selecting a few “high-value” people.

Immigration has always been a strength of America, bringing talent, skills, and new ideas from all over the world. But the new plan seems to put money and salary above everything else.

While it may help American workers in the short term, it could also reduce the diversity and energy that foreign workers bring. Many of the world’s biggest companies—especially in technology—depend on skilled workers from India, China, and other countries.

If the US closes its doors to young and hardworking people, other nations may benefit instead. Countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia could attract the same talent that America is now rejecting.

In the end, this change could reshape not only the lives of millions of workers but also the future of the American economy.