H-1B workers face uncertainty as Project Firewall targets visa abuse, protects American jobs

The Trump administration has launched a high-stakes initiative aimed at stopping H-1B visa abuse and prioritising American workers. Dubbed Project Firewall, the program is designed to ensure companies hire Americans into high-paying, mortgage-supporting jobs rather than relying on foreign labour. Project Firewall comes amid mounting concerns over H-1B visa misuse in the US. According to a January 2025 report by fwd.us, there are approximately 730,000 H-1B holders and 550,000 dependents in the country. Critics have long argued that the program has been exploited by companies seeking cheaper labor, often at the expense of qualified American workers. The initiative follows a September 19, 2025, presidential proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on every new H-1B petition, a mea