Bonus Episode: H-1B Kerfuffle

Parsing Immigration Policy

Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, addresses a recent debate on legal immigration, particularly H-1B visas, sparked on Twitter during the holiday season. The social media discussion highlighted differences between tech industry leaders who advocate for more high-skilled immigration and the President Trump’s voter base, who seek reductions in legal immigration. While illegal immigration has dominated recent debates, Krikorian emphasized the importance of addressing legal immigration reform.
He outlines two potential solutions to the disagreement, both detailed in his Compact Magazine article. First, reforming the H-1B visa program by prioritizing applicants based on salary, ensuring that only the most valuable candidates receive visas. Second, reallocating visas from family-based and diversity lottery categories to skills-based categories, potentially reducing overall immigration while increasing the skill level of entrants.
A panel discussion, “Beyond the Border: Why Legal Immigration Numbers Matter,” will be held on January 14, 2025, at the National Press Club in D.C. to discuss both high-skilled and low-skilled visa programs. The event will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.