H-1B visas, while valuable, are ‘deeply problematic’ when they displace American workers; the Justice Department will act against violations, but broader societal solutions are needed to ensure foreign professionals remain the exception rather than the norm
Harmeet Dhillon, the Indian American head of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, has raised concerns that H-1B visas — heavily used by Indian high-skilled workers — are displacing American workers.
In a video posted on X, Dhillon described it as “deeply problematic” that federal funds are directed to institutions that prioritize H-1B visa holders over qualified U.S. workers. She emphasized that the Justice Department is committed to addressing the issue.
“@TheJusticeDept will continue to root out this problem and protect the employment rights of Americans,” Dhillon stated.
Acknowledging her own immigrant background, Dhillon noted, “I’m grateful that my family was able to come to this country. My dad was a doctor providing medical services to rural areas — a crucial role, because American medical schools aren’t producing enough doctors to meet demand. So why aren’t they?”
She argued that foreign professionals, whether doctors, engineers, or executives, should remain exceptions rather than forming a significant portion of the workforce. “We should be solving that problem so that foreign medical graduates, foreign engineers, and foreign CEOs are exceptions, not the rule,” she said, calling for societal-level solutions alongside regulatory enforcement.
While Dhillon stressed that the DOJ can take action against institutions violating federal law, she acknowledged that broader structural issues need to be addressed beyond the department’s authority.
Her remarks highlight the ongoing debate over the balance between H-1B visa programs, immigrant contributions, and the protection of domestic employment opportunities.
