US Rep. Riley Moore calls H-1B and OPT "scams", says visa holders replace American graduates
US Congressman Riley Moore said on X and in a TV interview that H-1B and OPT programmes undercut American workers. Indian outlets reported the claims alongside a proposed DHS rule on visa extensions; neither tested Moore's figures.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2US Congressman Riley Moore alleged that H-1B visa holders are replacing American computer science graduates because employers can hire foreign workers at lower wages. Hindustan TimesN “US Congressman Riley Moore has alleged that H-1 B visa holders are replacing American computer science graduates” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “claiming employers are hiring foreign workers because they are willing to accept lower wages” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 2In a post on X, Moore called the H-1B and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programmes "SCAMS that undercut and replace American workers with cheap foreign labor". Hindustan TimesN ““H-1B and OPT programs are SCAMS that undercut and replace American workers with cheap foreign labor,” he wrote.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “Moore described the H-1B visa and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programmes as “SCAMS”” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 1The post said 650,000 Americans graduated with computer science-related degrees but were being replaced by 500,000 H-1B visa holders "who are mostly from China and India". Hindustan TimesN ““650k Americans graduated with computer science related degrees, but they’re being replaced by the 500k H1B visa holders who are mostly from China and India,” he added.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Centre · 2In an interview on The Scott Jennings Show, broadcast on the Salem News Channel, Moore said about 650,000 students graduated with computer science and programming degrees last year and "over half a million H-1B visas" were then issued. Hindustan TimesN ““We had about 650,000 kids, give or take, graduate with computer science, computer programming degrees in this country last year, and then issued over half a million H-1B visas,”” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “broadcast by the Salem News Channel” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 2Moore argued the programme was sold as a way to bring in "the best and the brightest" to fill jobs employers could not fill, but said that is not how it has worked and that it imports cheap labour that undercuts graduates in fields such as accounting and computer science. Hindustan TimesN “Sold on H-1B visa program is that we're going to bring the best and the brightest talent in the United States to fill these jobs that we're not able to fill. That is not how this has worked at all,”” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “What it is, is importing cheap labor that is undercutting a lot of our young college graduates” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 2Moore also claimed that the typical H-1B holder brings 10 family members to the US, which Moore described as chain migration. Hindustan TimesN ““And the typical H-1B visa holder, by the way, brings 10 individuals of their family with them. So you have this whole chain migration thing that goes with it,” he said.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “linking the programme to what he described as “chain migration”” Read at The Times of India ↗
Centre · 2Both outlets place the remarks next to a separate Department of Homeland Security proposal to remove the 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5) provision, which requires USCIS to defer to an earlier approval when an extension petition involves the same parties and facts; the change has not been implemented and DHS is seeking feedback. Hindustan TimesN “The proposal seeks to eliminate a provision under 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5), which requires US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to give “deference to a prior approval”” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “The proposed change has not yet been implemented. DHS is seeking public feedback on the proposed rulemaking package.” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 2According to USCIS data, Indian nationals made up roughly 70% of all H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025. Hindustan TimesN “Indian nationals accounted for roughly 70% of all H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025, according to USCIS data.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “Indian nationals made up roughly 70 per cent of all H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025.” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 1The Times of India adds that the annual cap for new H-1B visas is 85,000 (65,000 regular and 20,000 for holders of US advanced degrees), with certain employers and categories exempt. Neither outlet reconciles this with Moore's figure of more than 500,000 visas issued, and neither reports a response from the government, employers or the programme's defenders. The Times of IndiaN “The annual cap for new H-1B visas is 85,000, comprising 65,000 visas under the regular quota and an additional 20,000 for foreign graduates with advanced degrees from US universities. Certain employers and categories of workers are exempt from the cap.” Read at The Times of India ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both Indian outlets report Moore's remarks as claims by a US congressman, using "alleged" and "claimed", and tie them to the stakes for Indian workers and a pending DHS rule.
- Emphasis
- Moore's quotes on cheap labour, the graduate and visa numbers, and chain migration; the DHS extension-review proposal; India's roughly 70% share of beneficiaries.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet cites an independent check of Moore's 500,000 visa figure or the 10-relatives claim, or reports responses from employers, the administration or critics. Hindustan Times does not mention the 85,000 cap.
- Charged language
- “SCAMS”“cheap labour”“chain migration”
- For example
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“US Congressman Riley Moore has alleged that H-1 B visa holders are replacing American computer science graduates” — Hindustan Times
“His remarks add to the debate over whether the system is helping employers fill specialised roles or placing American workers at a disadvantage.” — The Times of India
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Moore called H-1B and OPT programmes "SCAMS" in a post on X and repeated the argument on The Scott Jennings Show.
- Moore cited about 650,000 US computer science graduates against over half a million H-1B visas.
- DHS has proposed removing the prior-approval deference provision at 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5); it is not yet implemented.
- Indian nationals were roughly 70% of H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025, per USCIS.
Riley Moore person
Moore says H-1B and OPT undercut and replace American graduates with cheaper foreign labour, that the programme is not bringing in the best and brightest as promised, and that it drives chain migration.
““What it is, is importing cheap labor that is undercutting a lot of our young college graduates” — Hindustan Times
““H-1B and OPT programs are SCAMS that undercut and replace American workers with cheap foreign labor,” Moore wrote.” — The Times of India
H-1B visa program topic
The programme is described as letting US employers hire skilled foreign workers for specialised occupations, with a cap of 85,000 new visas a year. Indian nationals are about 70% of beneficiaries, and a DHS proposal could tighten extension reviews.
“The programme allows American employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised occupations” — The Times of India
“raising concerns among Indian immigrants, HT reported earlier.” — Hindustan Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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US Congressman claims H-1B holders from India, China replacing American graduates with cheap labour
Neutral Reports Moore's allegations with extended quotes, then adds HT's earlier reporting on the DHS proposal and its worry for Indian immigrants.
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US Congressman claims H-1B visa holders from India, China replacing Americans
Neutral Reports Moore's claims, then adds context on the DHS proposal, the 85,000 cap and the Indian share of beneficiaries.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 17 Oct 09:06 First Hindustan TimesN US Congressman claims H-1B holders from India, China replacing American graduates with cheap labour
- 17 Oct 13:00 +3h 54m The Times of IndiaN US Congressman claims H-1B visa holders from India, China replacing Americans
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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