Investor Claims US Jobs Should Be Reserved for Americans Following Mother’s H-1B Replacement

An American investor is sparking debate after publicly stating that no foreign worker should fill a job in the United States, citing a personal experience with the H-1B visa program.

James Fishback, a former employee of companies associated with Elon Musk’s DOGE cryptocurrency, appeared on a Fox News panel yesterday and detailed how his mother was terminated from her position in Florida in 2021 and subsequently replaced by an H-1B visa holder. “This is personal for me: my mom was fired in 2021 from her job in Florida and replaced by an H-1B just weeks later,” Fishback stated. He further criticized CEOs, alleging they do not even interview American candidates despite claiming a shortage of skilled labor. “CEOs complain they can’t find skilled workers in America. But under the H-1B program, they’re not even required to interview an American—not even to post the job publicly for Americans to see. So how can they say Americans aren’t skilled if you have the unmitigated gall…to not even interview a single American worker?”

Fishback went on to assert that American citizens should have priority in the job market, stating, “If you are a foreigner coming to America, you do not have a right to the jobs of Americans…You are a guest.” He characterized foreign workers as “job takers” who strain resources like healthcare, education, and housing. The H-1B visa program allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, and has been a source of ongoing controversy regarding its impact on the American workforce. You can learn more about the H-1B visa program requirements on the USCIS website.

Fishback’s comments echo broader concerns about the impact of immigration on the US labor market, a topic frequently discussed in political and economic circles. The debate over H-1B visas often centers on balancing the need for specialized skills with protecting American jobs, as explored in a recent Brookings Institute analysis.

Officials have not yet responded to Fishback’s specific claims, but the Department of Labor continues to monitor the H-1B program to ensure compliance with labor laws.