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US Senator Alleges H-1B, OPT Visa Abuse, DHS Review Set for 2026

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt raised serious concerns about the alleged abuse of the H-1B visa and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs during a Senate hearing. He argued these programs are displacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor. In response, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the department has begun a review of the OPT program. The review is currently ongoing and is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Key Points: H-1B Visa Abuse Alleged, DHS Review Underway

  • Senator alleges H-1B misuse displaces US workers
  • OPT program criticized as "visa mills"
  • DHS confirms review is underway
  • Review of OPT scope and duration set for 2026 completion
2 min read

US senator flags H-1B visa abuse, DHS review underway

A US senator claims H-1B and OPT programs displace American workers. DHS confirms a review is ongoing, with completion expected in 2026.

"American citizens are being displaced by cheaper, more obedient foreign labour. - Senator Eric Schmitt"

Washington, March 4

A top Republican senator raised concerns over alleged abuse of employment-based visa programmes, including the H-1B system and Optional Practical Training, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to confirm that it is reviewing the student work programme.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Senator Eric Schmitt argued that the H-1B visa programme was increasingly being misused in ways that could disadvantage American workers.

"For those listening, the H-1B programme was marketed as a programme to bring in the best and the brightest for jobs that we don't have people for," Schmitt said.

"What's happening is this abuse, is that American citizens are being displaced by cheaper, more obedient foreign labour."

Schmitt also criticised the Optional Practical Training programme, which allows foreign students studying in the United States to work after completing their education.

He said the programme had effectively become "visa mills for universities taking away opportunities for American students because they don't have to pay taxes on the foreign labour for at least a year if you have this visa for OPT."

According to the senator, the programme has seen widespread misuse.

"The abuse has been pretty rampant," Schmitt said.

Schmitt told the committee that he had written to the Department of Homeland Security about both programmes and asked the agency to review the scope and duration of OPT.

Responding during the hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the department had begun such a review.

"Yes, we are. We're continuing to do that review now, and it will be completed here in 2026," Noem said.

Schmitt asked whether the department would commit to completing the reevaluation within the year.

"Yes, we are. We're continuing to do that review now, and it will be completed here in 2026," Noem replied.

The exchange came during a wide-ranging hearing focused primarily on immigration enforcement, border security, and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.

Lawmakers questioned Noem on several aspects of immigration policy, including deportations, detention practices, and national security concerns.

The discussion on H-1B visas and the OPT programme was one of the few portions of the hearing that addressed legal immigration pathways rather than enforcement actions against undocumented migrants.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees immigration compliance and visa programmes through agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As someone whose brother is on OPT, this news is stressful. He studied at a top US university and got a job because he was the best candidate, not because he was "cheap." This narrative is damaging. 🇮🇳
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Arjun K
There are two sides to this. While I understand the senator's concern for American jobs, the US tech industry thrives because of global talent, a lot of which comes from India. Maybe the focus should be on fixing actual loopholes, not painting all visa holders with the same brush.
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Sarah B
I work in HR for a tech MNC in Bangalore. We see this anxiety firsthand. Every policy shift in the US causes panic and affects long-term career planning for our best engineers. Stability is needed.
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Vikram M
Honestly, maybe it's a wake-up call. Instead of always looking westward, we should invest more in creating world-class opportunities right here in India. Brain drain is a real issue for our own development.
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Karthik V
The term "visa mills" is disrespectful to serious students and universities. My OPT was crucial for gaining practical experience to take back to India. A review is fine, but the rhetoric should be more measured.

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