The U.S. Department of Labor has released a provocative social media campaign accusing companies of exploiting the H1B visa program, a move that critics are interpreting as a criticism directed at India. The advertisement claims that the “American Dream” has been “stolen” from younger Americans as their jobs have been supplanted by foreign workers due to alleged “widespread abuse” of the H1B system. Official statements suggest a renewed commitment to prioritizing American jobs.
According to a post on X, the department detailed how numerous young Americans have had their career aspirations hindered because companies allegedly replaced them with foreign employees through the H1B visa route. The message emphasizes that under current leadership, there is a concerted effort to hold businesses accountable for any misuse of these visas and to create more employment opportunities for U.S. citizens.
This campaign is closely associated with “Project Firewall,” an initiative launched in September 2025. Project Firewall is dedicated to auditing the compliance of H1B visa usage, with a specific focus on preventing the displacement of American professionals in fields like tech and engineering by lower-paid foreign workers. The ad features a video that juxtaposes historical images of American economic success with current employment data, highlighting that 72% of H1B visa approvals are reportedly for Indian nationals. The administration is presenting Project Firewall as a critical step towards rectifying perceived imbalances and strengthening the domestic workforce.