Greeting True Texans!

Yes - this is a Fran's Friday Message on Tuesday!  Sometimes things just can't wait until Friday. 

It's been a while since you've heard from me, but I know you are staying engaged with the recent amendment election, special elections, now run-off elections, and the coming 2026 primary elections.  You know what we always say - "There's always another election!".  It's so true, so make sure you are ready and armed with information.  (TTP Voting recommendations here)

Today, I'm writing to you about a special opportunity we have to weigh in on new proposed regulations for the H-1B Visa program.  DHS has proposed some new regulations for the H-1B program and public comment is open until Nov. 24.  We want to encourage EVERYONE to go to the website and make a comment.

Some background:

Most of you will agree with TTP that the H-1B Visa program needs to be eliminated.  We believe it has been detrimental to American workers and abused by greedy American companies.  It will take Congressional action to actually eliminate it, but the new proposed regulations give us an opportunity to at least make it less onerous.  The new program proposes to replace the current random, lottery style of approving applications, to a more specific, weighted process that will target specific needs for workers.  This new system, combined with President Trump's recent $100,000 fee on H-1B Visa applicant companies makes the whole process cumbersome, and expensive, and may functionally eliminate it.  So we can comment on ways to improve the system, and maybe eliminate it, with the new proposed regulations.

Basic facts about H-1B Visas: 

The following information is from a Dallas Express Article, Oct 26, 2025

• The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers for specialty occupations that usually require at least a bachelor’s degree.

• The visa is tied to the employer’s sponsorship — meaning if the worker changes jobs, they must obtain a new sponsor.

• There are over 583,000 H-1B holders, according to the most recent federal data.

• In most cases, there is no legal requirement for companies to first try to hire an American before seeking an H-1B worker.

• 72% of H-1B visas go to Indian nationals and 12% to Chinese nationals, according to USCIS data.

Public Sentiment and Political Divide

Fifty-six percent of U.S. citizens believe H-1B visa holders create “unfair competition” and take jobs from Americans, a study reported by The Dallas Express found. The Blind survey of 4,230 professionals revealed a sharp divide between U.S.-born and foreign-born workers, with 87% of foreign professionals supporting the program versus only 49% of U.S. citizens.

Lawmakers across party lines have questioned how companies use the visas amid ongoing layoffs. On September 24, Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin wrote to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy: “With all of the homegrown American talent relegated to the sidelines, we find it hard to believe that Amazon cannot find qualified American tech workers to fill these positions,” 

What to do:

1. Go directly to the comment website
2. Use the text box labeled "comments" to start your comment.  You have up to 5,000 characters
3. Attach files if you wish.  You may attach up to 20 files, each no larger than 10MB. Supported file types: bmp, docx, gif, jpg, jpeg, pdf, png, pptx, rtf, sgml, tif, tiff, txt, wpd, xlsx, xml.
4. Enter your contact information (email).  You can comment as an individual or as an organization.  Please choose organization and list True Texas Project.  With multiple comments coming from TTP supporters, it gives our comments more emphasis. (organization type = organization;  organization name = True Texas Project)
5. Click the "I'm not a robot" box.  (unless you are a robot)🤣
6. Click "Submit"

Talking points:

For starters, you can read my comments that I submitted here.  Please do NOT copy and paste!  (that negates the effectiveness of comments).  You can use the same information, but put it into your own words.

Things that could improve the weighted system.

• Balance National Origins:  China and India hold most of these Visas. Their workers are more apt to accept lower pay because they have a lower standard of living.
• Unemployment:  If unemployment in a specific field is high, Visas for that field should be weighted at the lowest level.
• Corporate Behavior:  If companies had lay-offs or receive federal funding, they should not qualify for H-1B Visas.
• Caps on the system:  Even if paying high wages, the department could cap how many H-1B workers are allowed

It's also ok to comment on the need to eliminate the program all together.  That should be the ultimate goal.   Rep. Chip Roy and Rep Marjorie Taylor Green have recently filed bills to crack down on H-1B, but who knows where that will go.  While elimination is not the subject of this public comment period, the agency will take relevant comments into consideration.

Remember - the deadline is Monday Nov. 25th, so don't delay.  Get your comments in now.  I would really appreciate it if you would reply to this email telling me you've submitted comments.  I'd like to track  how many we make so I can brag on you all.

Thanks and Stay Engaged!

Fran Rhodes, President, True Texas Project

PS:  A great big THANK YOU to Kellen McGovern Jones, who writes for the Dallas Express and TX Scorecard. Kellen was a total hero in helping me understand this issue, and composing comments and information.