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Jason Calacanis: The bottom half of H-1Bs are “a giant scam”

September 27, 2025 / 01:15

This episode discusses the recent overhaul of H-1B visas, including a new $100,000 fee for applications announced by the Trump administration. The conversation highlights the historical abuse of the H-1B system, particularly in the IT sector, where workers often face exploitation.

The host shares personal experiences from the early 90s, describing how IT companies would hire Indian workers at lower wages, forcing them into difficult working conditions. The discussion emphasizes the lack of agency these workers have, as they risk deportation if they do not comply with demanding job requirements.

Additionally, the episode touches on the political implications of the fee increase, linking it to Trump's campaign promises regarding immigration and protecting US workers. The host mentions a poly market prediction about the likelihood of courts blocking the new fee.

TLDR

The episode covers the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee and its implications for workers and immigration policy.

Episode

1:15

00:00:00

The topic of the week, H-1B visas are being overhauled. The Trump administration announced a new $100,000

00:00:07

fee for all future H1B applications. It's a onetime fee. This is a huge jump. The current fee is nothing. It's like 2

00:00:14

to 5K. Every discussion I've ever had about H-1Bs in relation to IT and consulting has always been about saving

00:00:21

money. It's a giant scam on the bottom half of these. I witnessed it firsthand. When I was in IT in the early 90s, the

00:00:28

abuse was happening all the time and it was indentured servitude. It was disgraceful. The IT people would hire

00:00:35

typically Indians and they would say stuff to the effect of these guys are going to work for half as much and twice

00:00:41

as long and they can't say no. That's the best part of it. They can't say no when we put them on weekend coverage

00:00:47

because we can kick them out of the country and they have 30 days to find a new job. And the truth is it's been

00:00:52

abused. And I talked about this in 2015 on CNBC when Trump first started to talk

00:00:57

about it. He's been on this for a while. This hits on a lot of the Trump campaign

00:01:01

promises. Tougher on immigration, looking out for US workers. They had an interesting poly market. Will courts

00:01:06

block Trump's 100k H1B by September 30th. 3% chance of that happening. So, it looks like everybody's kind of

00:01:13

aligned with this

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Episode Highlights

H-1B Visa Overhaul
The Trump administration introduces a new $100,000 fee for H-1B applications, a significant increase from the previous fees.
“This is a huge jump.”
@ 00m 10s
September 27, 2025
Exploitation in IT
A firsthand account of how H-1B workers are often exploited in the IT industry.
“It was indentured servitude.”
@ 00m 31s
September 27, 2025
Trump's Immigration Promises
The new fee aligns with Trump's campaign promises to be tougher on immigration and protect US workers.
“This hits on a lot of the Trump campaign promises.”
@ 00m 59s
September 27, 2025

Episode Quotes

They can't say no when we put them on weekend coverage.
Jason Calacanis: The bottom half of H-1Bs are “a giant scam”
It's been abused.
Jason Calacanis: The bottom half of H-1Bs are “a giant scam”

Key Moments

Visa Fee Increase00:10
Exploitation Revealed00:31
Trump's Policies00:59