President Donald Trump is steering a dramatic shift in US immigration policy with a new approach to the H-1B visa—a program vital to thousands of skilled foreign professionals. According to recent statements from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the administration’s plan is centered around “knowledge transfer,” aimed at temporarily bringing in overseas experts to train American workers, instead of the longer-term replacement that critics had feared.
What Is the New H-1B Policy?
Secretary Bessent clarified in a Fox News interview that the goal of Trump’s H-1B plan is to bring skilled foreign workers into key US industries, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and semiconductors, sectors weakened by years of outsourcing. He explained, “Train the US workers. Then go home. Then the US workers fully take over,” stressing the temporary role of foreign specialists to rebuild American workforce capability.
How Will It Work?
The policy proposes that foreign workers under temporary visas like H-1B will be hired for three to seven years—just long enough to train Americans in specialized skills. After this period, the US workforce will take over, and the foreign experts return home. Trump’s strategy is a direct answer to critics who feared imported workers would permanently displace Americans, instead emphasizing that local talent needs expertise to revive advanced industries.
Trump himself emphasized the US does not currently possess certain technical skills, stating: “You can’t take people off the unemployment line and say, ‘We’re going to make missiles.’” The plan focuses on workforce development through direct knowledge transfer, not job loss for Americans.ndtv+1
H-1B Crackdown and Reforms
In tandem with this new direction, the administration is tightening scrutiny on the H-1B program, targeting misuse such as fake worksites and employee “benching.” Indian professionals, who form one of the largest groups of H-1B visa holders, will especially need to track program changes and compliance. A recent proclamation now requires H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, to pay an additional $100,000, increasing the threshold and intended to curb long-term dependency on foreign workforce.
Economic Agenda: $2,000 Tariff Rebate
As part of Trump’s broader economic strategy, families earning under $100,000 could receive a USD 2,000 rebate, described by Secretary Bessent as ensuring regular Americans benefit from strong trade policies. The plan, called “Parallel Prosperity,” highlights the effort to balance Wall Street gains and Main Street well-being, with a focus on reviving key industries and maintaining a liquid Treasury market.
Conclusion
Trump’s H-1B reforms are designed to make America self-sufficient in strategic sectors by utilizing foreign expertise for a limited period. With stricter regulation and renewed focus on domestic talent, the new policy could impact skilled immigration from India and beyond, affecting technology, science, and engineering professionals.
Stay updated for further regulatory details and monitor program announcements if you or your business rely on H-1B visas.
