Why can't an American do this job? The visa interview question stumping H-1B applicants

Summary

An increasingly common question at US visa interviews is leaving many H-1B work visa applicants scrambling for answers: "Why can't an American do this instead of you?" According to a report by The American Bazaar, a news outlet focused on the Indian-American community and US immigration matters, immigration attorneys say the question reflects a renewed focus on protecting US jobs and echoes President Donald Trump's earlier "Buy American, Hire American" approach. The increased scrutiny appears to be particularly affecting applicants from India and China, who make up the majority of H-1B visa holders. For many skilled workers, being able to explain why they—not an American worker—are uniquely qualified for the job could prove decisive during the visa interview process. The question reflects a long-running debate over the H-1B programme. Supporters counter that the H-1B system was created precisely because the US economy faces shortages of specialised talent in certain fields. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS (U.S. immigration agency)), 399,395 H-1B petitions were approved in fiscal year 2024, including 141,205 initial approvals and 258,190 renewals. Indian workers, in particular, benefit from the H-1B programme. According to the USCIS Characteristics of H-1B Speciality Occupation Workers report for FY 2024, India-born beneficiaries received 283,397 approvals, representing 71% of the total 399,395 H-1B petitions approved that year. USCIS data shows median compensation for H-1B beneficiaries reached $120,000 in fiscal year 2024, rising to about $135,000 for computer-related occupations. While H-1B workers make up a small share of the overall