A randomized study of US H-2B visa lotteries shows that restricting low-skill foreign workers shrinks businesses without creating American jobs. Researchers found that firms denied visas simply became smaller rather than hiring domestic workers, suggesting low-skill immigrants and American workers are poor substitutes.
Article argues that H-1B, H-4 EAD, and OPT/STEM OPT visa programs reduce American wages, displace jobs, and limit housing availability. Claims approximately $109–121 billion in annual payroll flows to foreign workers instead of Americans, with 62.6% of FY2024 H-1B workers filed below local median wage levels, and an estimated 500,000 U.S. housing units occupied by visa holders.