Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program
What happened
Signed by Donald Trump on September 18, 2026, this Executive Order directs agencies to protect American workers from H-1B program abuse. The Secretary of State, Labor, and Homeland Security will coordinate with the Secretaries of Commerce and Education and the Small Business Administration when processing H-1B petitions and visas. Agencies will consider if employers engaged in layoffs within the previous year or plan future layoffs negatively affecting United States workers. The Secretary of Labor will also review past labor condition application data to determine warranted actions against sponsoring employers.
Why it matters
This policy aims to address perceived widespread abuse of the H-1B program, which the order states has harmed American workers' wages, working conditions, and job opportunities. It seeks to prevent the displacement of American labor and ensures that H-1B visas serve their intended purpose for highly specialized foreign workers, rather than being used for cheaper labor or outsourcing.
Who it affects
- ›H-1B nonimmigrant visa program
- ›Employers sponsoring H-1B visa holders
- ›Skilled United States workers
- ›H-1B visa holders
- ›Outsourcing firms
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