HIRE Act aims to expand skilled-worker visas, boost STEM education and reshape US immigration policy as Trump pushes new restrictions and jobs broadly.
Donald Trump’s proposal to dramatically expand America’s high-skilled immigration pipeline is back before Congress, setting the stage for a new battle over visas at a time when he is tightening enforcement and raising fees across the system.
High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act, reintroduced by Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, seeks to double the number of new H-1B visas available each year—from 65,000 to 130,000. The legislation also preserves the additional 20,000-visa allocation for applicants with U.S. advanced degrees.
Krishnamoorthi says the bill is designed to strengthen U.S. leadership in technology and innovation by giving employers access to high-skilled global talent while investing in long-term workforce development at home. The proposal includes expanded federal funding for STEM education in public schools, an effort to address chronic shortages in engineering, computing and other technical fields.
The HIRE Act returns to Congress amid heightened scrutiny of employment-based visas. The Trump administration has stepped up oversight of H-1B employers through initiatives such as “Project Firewall,” increased compliance audits and a sharp rise in processing fees. In September, Trump ordered a new $100,000 petition fee for businesses seeking to sponsor skilled foreign workers—an unprecedented jump that companies warn could reshape hiring practices.
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Those measures were followed by the President’s announcement of a broader immigration crackdown after the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. Trump pledged a “permanent pause” on migration from what he described as “Third World” countries, though the administration has provided few details on how such restrictions would be implemented.
Supporters of the HIRE Act argue that the U.S. risks losing ground to competitors if it cannot attract enough engineers, researchers and other specialized workers. The ITServe Alliance, the country’s largest association of IT service firms, said the proposal represents a critical update to America’s high-skilled immigration system. The majority of H-1B visas currently go to companies hiring fewer than 15 workers per year, with U.S. technology giants receiving the largest share of approvals.
If passed, the bill would mark one of the most significant changes to the visa system in years. But its future remains uncertain. Like all legislation, the HIRE Act must move through committee debates, amendments and votes in both chambers of Congress—a process that can take months or even years.
For now, the proposal sets up a new clash between lawmakers seeking to expand skilled immigration and an administration pushing toward more restrictive policies.