US Commerce Secretary Proposes Overhaul of H-1B Visa and Green Card Systems

In a recent interview, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced plans to reform the H-1B visa and green card systems, criticizing their current structures. He highlighted the need for changes to attract skilled workers and proposed a new 'gold card' for investors. With a significant number of Indians holding H-1B visas, these reforms could have a major impact on the immigration landscape. Lutnick's comments reflect ongoing discussions about how to better align immigration policies with economic needs. Read on to discover more about these proposed changes and their potential implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 27, 2025, 09:36 IST

Changes to Immigration Policies

On Tuesday, Howard Lutnick, the Secretary of Commerce for the United States, shared with a prominent news channel that the government is considering significant modifications to its immigration framework, particularly focusing on the H-1B visa program and green card issuance.

In his interview, Lutnick criticized the existing H-1B visa system, labeling it as 'terrible' and indicated his active role in the reform process.

The H-1B visa serves as a non-immigrant visa, enabling U.S. companies to temporarily hire foreign professionals in specialized fields.

In recent years, a substantial number of H-1B visa holders have been from India, with Indians accounting for approximately 72.3% of all H-1B visas granted in the fiscal year 2022-2023.

Lutnick also expressed concerns regarding the green card system, arguing that it favors less qualified candidates.

He pointed out, 'The average American earns $75,000 annually, while the typical green card recipient makes $66,000. This means we are selecting from the lower income bracket. Why is this the case?'

A green card, or Permanent Resident Card, permits individuals to live and work indefinitely in the U.S.

Additionally, Lutnick mentioned a proposed 'gold card' initiative by the Trump administration, which would offer permanent residency to individuals who invest $5 million in the U.S.

Earlier in February, Trump had announced plans to replace the current visa for foreign investors with the gold card, which would also facilitate a pathway to citizenship.

On Tuesday, Lutnick revealed that approximately 250,000 individuals are currently in line to apply for the gold card, predicting that this program could generate $1.2 trillion in revenue for the U.S.

Earlier this month, the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs approved a new proposal that would prioritize H-1B applicants based on their salaries, moving away from the existing lottery system.

Trump emphasized the necessity for the U.S. to attract skilled labor, describing the H-1B program as crucial for bolstering American industries.

During his previous term, Trump had tightened regulations surrounding H-1B visas, citing issues of 'abuse' and 'economic pressure'.

In 2016, he criticized the program, claiming it allowed companies to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor.