In the United States, the H-1B visa program has seen significant engagement, particularly within the technology sector. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, at least 60% of H-1B visa holders have been employed in tech-related fields since fiscal year 2012. In 2023, this percentage climbed to 65%, with those in these roles earning a median annual salary of $123,600. Roles commonly associated with this visa include systems analysis, programming, technical support, and data communications management.
The second-largest field for H-1B visa holders in 2023 was architecture, engineering, and surveying, which accounted for 9% of approvals, providing median salaries around $115,000. Education and administrative specializations also rank among the top fields, while social sciences lagged significantly, holding only 0.8% of approvals.
The H-1B visa program was established in 1990 to enable U.S. employers to bring in foreign professionals possessing specialized skills. Applicants must ideally hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field. Initially, H-1B approvals are given for three years with a potential extension up to six years. However, if an employer sponsors a worker’s application for permanent residency, this duration may surpass the six-year limit. Notably, in 2023, approximately 400,000 H-1B applications were approved, with around 65% of these being renewals rather than new positions.
Amid these statistics, the experiences of individuals holding H-1B visas are often less encouraging. An anonymous worker recently took to social media to share a troubling account of their move to the U.S. for a job, describing it as a daunting experience filled with low pay and broken promises. They revealed that salary discussions remained vague until after their visa was approved, at which time the company presented a lower salary with a caveat: a promise to assist the worker's spouse in obtaining their work visa. However, upon arrival in the U.S., the employer ceased communication on the visa matter, leaving the worker with fewer options as their spouse lost their job due to the relocation. The worker is now stuck in an unsatisfactory position and their spouse remains on an H-4 visa without the ability to work.
This story highlights a poignant truth for many foreign professionals: the system often enables employers to exploit visa holders by limiting their bargaining power. Without thorough research, clear negotiations, and written contracts, accepting a job in the U.S. can morph from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity into a precarious trap.
Another illustrative case is that of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a physician who had dedicated over six years to kidney transplant cases in the U.S. on an H-1B visa. Alawieh, who recently returned to the U.S. after visiting family in Lebanon, was detained at Boston's Logan Airport despite holding a valid visa that would have allowed her to work in the country until mid-2027. U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued an order to stop her deportation; nevertheless, Alawieh was deported back to Lebanon on March 14, 2025, prior to the court's hearing.
Dr. Alawieh’s story reflects the vulnerabilities within the H-1B visa framework. Detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, authorities stated, "arriving aliens bear the burden of establishing admissibility to the United States," implying rigorous standards must be met. Hilton Beckham, assistant commissioner of public affairs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, remarked that their officers adhere to strict protocols to identify and prevent threats. However, Thomas S. Brown, a lawyer handling immigration issues for medical professionals, noted that Alawieh was returning on a valid visa, emphasizing the confusion and possible errors that can arise within the system.
The conflict involving Dr. Alawieh draws attention not only to individual cases but also to needed reforms within the H-1B system. The current annual cap on H-1B visas stands at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 for professionals who earn an advanced U.S. degree. Given the growing reliance on foreign skill sets in competitive fields, stakeholders are calling for a reevaluation of these limits.
As these stories unfold, they paint a complex picture. While H-1B visas allow talented professionals from around the globe to fill crucial roles in the U.S. economy, troubling experiences reveal an often-exploitive environment that needs addressing. For many, knowledge of their worth and assertiveness in negotiations is not just advisable—it’s essential for navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of U.S. employment as a foreign worker.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the H-1B visa program is one that can no longer be ignored. The fates of skilled professionals like Dr. Alawieh and others serve as a clarion call for comprehensive changes to ensure the program protects and empowers rather than entraps those who seek opportunity in American workplaces.
