TLDR
• Trump administration preparing reforms to H1B visas and green cards
• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick calls H1B system a “scam”
• Wage-based allocation to replace the H1B lottery system
• Indian workers and students expected to be most affected
• Biometric requirements and “gold card” initiative introduced
WASHINGTON (The Thursday Times) — The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in its H1B visa and green card programmes, with measures expected to affect millions of foreign workers and students. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the current H1B system as a “scam” and said reforms would align with the priority of hiring American workers.
H1B Called a “Scam”
In an online post, Lutnick said the administration is committed to changing the H1B programme.
The current H1B visa system is a scam that lets foreign workers fill American job opportunities.
Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses. Now is the time to hire American. pic.twitter.com/l27HEhF7C3
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) August 26, 2025
Speaking later to Fox News, Lutnick confirmed he is directly involved in the reforms.
Green Card Holders and the “Gold Card” Initiative
Lutnick highlighted income disparities as part of the reasoning for reform.
“The average American makes $75,000 a year, and the average green card recipient $66,000. So, we are taking the bottom quartile. Why are we doing that? That’s what Donald Trump is going to change. That’s the gold card that’s coming. We are going to start picking the best people to come into the country,” he said.
The new “gold card” has been presented as an alternative to the traditional green card, intended to focus on applicants with higher earning potential and qualifications.
From Lottery to Wage-Based Allocation
Among the proposals is the elimination of the H1B lottery system. It would be replaced by a wage-based model, where applicants with higher salaries receive priority. US authorities had previously approved a draft rule for this change.
Impact on Indian Workers and Students
The reforms are expected to affect Indian nationals in particular, who have historically accounted for about 70 percent of H1B allocations. For many, the programme has been a pathway from study visas to employment and eventual residency.
The new wage-based allocation could influence the number of Indian applicants receiving approvals in the future.
New Rules and Requirements
Since January, the administration has tightened rules for foreign workers and students. H1B holders are now required to provide additional personal details, including biometric information and home addresses.
Earlier this year, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman — which assisted immigrants with visa technicalities — was closed.
Green Card Debate and Future Outlook
US Vice President JD Vance has stated that a green card does not give “an individual an indefinite right to stay in the United States.” This comment has drawn attention to the evolving role of green cards, with the “gold card” being positioned as a potential future alternative.
The upcoming reforms to the H1B and green card programmes reflect a new direction in US immigration policy. With the introduction of the “gold card,” wage-based visa allocation, and new compliance requirements, the administration is reshaping the process of skilled migration.
