Why does America keep asking for more H-1B visas instead of asking what would make its own workforce better prepared? In this January 2025 episode, I weigh arguments for skilled immigration against concerns about wages, opportunity, and the failure to invest in domestic training. The history of bipartisan visa expansions leads to a larger question about how we measure national capability.
I propose three changes: judge training by outcomes rather than spending, build focused education hubs around community colleges and employers, and remove student-loan interest barriers for low-income students. These are proposals for developing American talent, not a rejection of what immigrant workers contribute. Can we meet employers’ immediate needs while building a more capable workforce for the future?
Read the essay and sources: https://joelkdouglas.com/2025/01/07/why-do-we-need-more-h-1b-visas/
