Republican Senator Eric Schmitt has launched a scathing attack on Democratic states attempting to legally challenge the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown on the H-1B visa programme. In a detailed social media post, Schmitt accused these states of facilitating the systematic replacement of American tech workers with cheaper foreign labour, primarily from India.
Blue States' Legal Challenge and Alleged Motives
Twenty states under Democratic leadership have filed a lawsuit to block the federal government's stricter H-1B regulations. These states argue that the programme is essential for importing skilled talent to maintain competitiveness. However, Senator Schmitt, a prominent MAGA-aligned figure, countered this claim by presenting a state-by-state breakdown of what he calls "egregious abuse" of the visa system.
State-by-State Allegations of Worker Replacement
Schmitt began his critique with California, a major Democratic stronghold. He highlighted that the state's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has accused the Trump administration of trying to "shut out the skilled workers America depends on." Schmitt countered by citing the case of Southern California Edison, where hundreds of American tech employees were allegedly laid off and then compelled to train their H-1B visa-holding replacements to qualify for severance pay. One affected worker was quoted saying the company found it cheaper to hire multiple Indian personnel than retain one American employee.
The senator then turned his focus to Wisconsin, home to motorcycle giant Harley-Davidson. He claimed the Milwaukee-based company faced federal lawsuits for partnering with Indian outsourcing firms, leading to the termination of Wisconsin IT staff who were then forced to train their foreign substitutes.
Similar patterns were alleged in other states. In Connecticut, major companies were accused of mass layoffs of American tech workers, with one individual reportedly forced to train ten additional workers in India via web conference. In Illinois, another plaintiff state, Schmitt noted that laid-off workers placed American flags on their cubicles in protest.
High-Profile Cases in New Jersey, Washington, and Minnesota
The allegations extended to prominent corporations. In New Jersey, Schmitt pointed to Toys "R" Us, where he claimed H-1B workers from India shadowed American employees—even following them to restrooms—to create manuals before the Americans were laid off. In Washington state, he noted that Microsoft announced significant layoffs while simultaneously applying for thousands of new H-1B visas.
Minnesota's largest employers were accused of laying off hundreds of IT professionals and outsourcing their roles to India. Schmitt also criticised Oregon's Attorney General for allegedly using the H-1B programme to fill an "intern" position.
Schmitt's Concluding Argument on H-1B Impact
Senator Schmitt concluded his lengthy post by arguing that the H-1B programme has strayed far from its original intent. "The H-1Bs were sold as a way to keep America 'globally competitive,'" he wrote. "Instead, they've been used to import millions of foreign nationals to replace American workers—and transfer entire industries into the hands of foreign lobbies." This statement underscores the deepening political divide over immigration and labour policy in the United States, with significant implications for the Indian IT sector and skilled professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
