Congressman Krishnamoorthi Blasts State Department for Shutting Down Successful H-1B Renewal Program He Championed

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following statement today after the State Department respondedto his bipartisan May 7 letterurging the expansion of domestic visa renewals following the successful 2024 H-1B pilot program. The Department's reply this month stated it does not intend to continue or expand the initiative and will instead require most applicants to appear in person abroad.

"The H-1B renewal pilot program was a commonsense initiative that made government more efficient, reduced backlogs for workers and businesses, and strengthened our legal immigration system - boosting our economy and creating good-paying American jobs," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "Rather than expand this successful program as we urged in our bipartisan letter, the Trump administration has chosen to shut it down. Modernizing our immigration system with practical, bipartisan reforms is long overdue, and I will keep fighting for policies that grow our economy, honor the contributions of immigrant communities, and bring our system into the 21st century. As President Trump turns his back on South Asia and the South Asian diaspora in America, I will continue to stand with them."

In May, Congressman Krishnamoorthi joined Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and Rich McCormick (R-GA) in leading a bipartisan coalition urging Secretary Rubio to build on the 2024 domestic renewal pilot and expand it to additional visa categories. The lawmakers stressed that allowing renewals within the United States would alleviate bottlenecks overseas, reduce unnecessary burdens on workers and employers, and help ensure America remains a magnet for top global talent.