The Donald Trump administration is continuing its crackdown on H-1B after backlash from several right-wing groups, including MAGA. The administration has now introduced stricter vetting measures for H-1B visa applicants, according to an internal US State Department memo that outlines new grounds for rejection. The move follows a steep increase in H-1B application fees, raised to $100,000 in September, for visas widely used by US technology companies to recruit highly skilled foreign workers, particularly from India and China. Many of the industry’s top leaders had backed Trump in last year’s presidential election.
What the New H-1B Visa Rejection Rules Say
A Reuters report reveals that the internal memo directs US consular officers to flag applicants involved in what the administration defines as “censorship” of free speech. The cable, sent to all US diplomatic missions on December 2, instructs officers to examine resumes and LinkedIn profiles of H-1B applicants and accompanying family members to determine whether they have previously worked in fields connected to activities such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance, or online safety.
“If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible,” the cable states, citing a specific article of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
The State Department has not yet commented on the memo.
Heightened Scrutiny of H-1B Applicants, Focus on Tech Sector Roles
While the policy applies to all visa categories, the memo calls for heightened scrutiny of H-1B applicants, noting their significant presence in the technology sector. It highlights that many H-1B workers are employed by social media platforms or financial services firms “involved in the suppression of protected expression.”
“You must thoroughly explore their employment histories to ensure no participation in such activities,” the memo further instructs.
The expanded vetting measures cover both first-time applicants and repeat applicants.
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Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
