US highlights India in new ad alleging H-1B visa ‘abuse’, calls it ‘American dream stolen’

US Targets H-1B ‘Abuse’, Singles Out India in New Trump Administration Campaign.

The US Department of Labour, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has launched a new social media campaign accusing companies of misusing the H-1B visa programme and displacing young American workers with foreign hires — directly naming India as the largest beneficiary.

In a post on X, the department said: “Young Americans have had the American Dream stolen from them, as jobs have been replaced by foreign workers due to rampant abuse of the H-1B visa.”

It added that under Trump and Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s leadership, the administration is “holding companies accountable for their abuse and recapturing the American Dream for the American people.”

Project Firewall and the ‘American Dream’ narrative

The ad accompanies the launch of Project Firewall, a Department of Labour initiative introduced in September 2025 to audit H-1B compliance and prevent companies from replacing US workers with lower-paid foreign professionals in tech and engineering roles.

The 51-second video contrasts nostalgic 1950s imagery of suburban prosperity with modern scenes and statistics, claiming that 72% of H-1B visas go to Indian applicants. The narration asserts that young Americans’ “dreams were stolen” as companies exploited the visa system — and that Trump’s government is “restoring opportunity for American workers.”

The video closes with the message: “Through Project Firewall, we’re holding companies accountable for H-1B abuse and ensuring they prioritise Americans — recapturing the American Dream.”

Reviving the ‘America First’ jobs agenda

The campaign marks a renewed emphasis on Trump’s America First employment policy, echoing his first-term focus on domestic job protection and immigration control.

Officials said Project Firewall will conduct extensive audits of companies suspected of using the H-1B system to undercut wages or replace US employees, signalling tougher enforcement against firms heavily reliant on foreign tech talent.