85,000 Annual H-1B Visas: Lawmaker Says They Create US Jobs, Not Steal Them

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam pushed back against persistent narratives that H-1B visa holders displace American workers, arguing instead that they are net job creators who launch companies and stimulate U.S. employment. Representing Virginia's 10th Congressional District, the Democratic lawmaker emphasized the program’s critical role in addressing workforce shortages, while candidly acknowledging that reforms are needed to safeguard domestic workers. His remarks arrive at a time of heightened political scrutiny over skilled immigration, as industries from technology to healthcare confront acute talent gaps. Subramanyam’s central thesis—that the H-1B system is “not a zero-sum game”—challenges the protectionist rhetoric often heard in Washington. He pointed to the many visa holders who later become citizens and give back to their communities, including numerous constituents in his own district who arrived on H-1Bs and now run businesses, hire locally, and contribute to regional economic vitality. This ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation, he suggested, is frequently overlooked in political debates that scapegoat immigrants for broader economic malaise. The economic evidence in support of his view is mixed but compelling. Research from the National Foundation for American Policy indicates that immigrants have founded more than half of America’s start-ups valued at $1 billion or more, and many founders—foreign-born STEM graduates—first entered the U.S. on student or H-1B visas. Subramanyam’s own acknowledgment that the program needs fixing—specifically to ensure American workers get a fair shot at jobs—signals a pragmatic middle ground. He did not detail specific reforms, but the discussion naturally connects to perennial proposals like raising prevailing wages, tightening the definition of specialty occupations, or increasing enforcement against outsourcing firms. Such changes would directly impact HR departments that rely on H-1B talent for hard-to-fill engineering, data science, and medical roles. For strategic HR leaders, the lawmaker’s dual message is a warning and an opportunity. The program’s survival is not in question, but its future contours will be shaped by political negotiation. Compliance burdens could grow if new wage floors or labor condition application requirements are imposed. At the same time, the defense of the program by influential voices like Subramanyam—who is of Indian heritage and represents a constituency with a high concentration of tech professionals—may strengthen the case for preserving H-1B as a flexible tool. HR teams should monitor legislative developments closely, especially any bills proposing a points-based system or per-country cap adjustments, which would alter the talent pipeline for Indian nationals in particular. The congressman’s critique of blaming immigrants as a “diversion from systemic issues” also carries an implicit call for companies to invest more in domestic STEM education and upskilling. Employers dependent on foreign talent may find themselves under greater social pressure to demonstrate parallel investments in U.S. workforce development. This expectation aligns with the growing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics where talent strategy is under the microscope. Looking ahead, the H-1B debate will intensify as the 2026 midterm elections approach. HR professionals must balance immediate hiring needs with long-term workforce planning that is resilient to policy swings. Subramanyam’s interview, though just one voice, illustrates that the conversation is shifting from binary ‘for or against’ to a more nuanced ‘how to improve.’ For companies that can articulate how foreign talent complements rather than substitutes domestic workers, there may be an opportunity to shape the reform narrative. Ultimately, the ability to attract the world’s best and brightest—while being seen as a good-faith partner in developing local talent—will define competitive advantage in the next decade of talent acquisition.