Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, once again took aim at the H-1B visa program on his show, renewing his long-held criticism of how it’s used. This time, he singled out Indian IT firms, accusing them of bringing in workers from abroad to fill jobs in Silicon Valley.
Bannon stated, “It’s all kickbacks. Indian companies kick back. Consular staff kick back. The whole system runs on kickbacks. Two thirds of applicants just make up their resumes, and even they admit it. There isn’t a single billet an American couldn’t fill. Silicon Valley churns through these guys, dumps the ones who can’t do the job, then brings in more.”
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Bannon’s remarks went further than his usual criticism, veering into sweeping accusations about how the system functions. By claiming widespread corruption and resume fraud, he framed the H-1B process as one that sidelines American workers while rewarding companies that rely on a constant flow of temporary talent.
His comments also echoed a familiar narrative within parts of the conservative movement — that tech firms prefer a revolving door of foreign workers to avoid investing in long-term employment or higher wages. While industry leaders have repeatedly defended the visa program as essential for filling high-skill roles, Bannon portrayed it as a pipeline ripe for abuse, one he insists disadvantages U.S. professionals.
Joining the conversation, Mark Mitchell, Lead Pollster, Rasmussen Reports, told, “For every H1B senior dev at Apple we send back, it’s the economic equivalent of deporting 10 illegal aliens. Silicon Valley’s workforce is 2/3 foreign born, whole buildings 85-95% Indian nationals. These golden pathways let companies replace older American engineers with cheaper third world labor and even make them train their replacements. It’s exploitation dressed up as tech.”
Mitchell’s comments echoed a growing sentiment in some conservative circles that the skilled visa system isn’t just being stretched — it’s being weaponized. His argument taps into long-running fears about age discrimination in tech, where older engineers often claim they’re pushed aside in favor of lower-cost workers brought in on temporary visas.
Taken together, the warnings from Bannon and Mitchell reflect a wider campaign to reframe the H-1B debate around economic nationalism and worker protection.