Republican Criticizes Purdue for Hiring H-1B Worker as $149K Software Engineer
An Indiana Republican lawmaker has voiced strong criticism of Purdue University for hiring a foreign software engineer on an H-1B visa, questioning the need for such a decision at a taxpayer-funded institution. Andrew Ireland posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing concerns about Purdue’s choice to employ a foreign national with a substantial salary of $149,000 per year.
Criticism of Purdue’s Hiring Practices
Ireland highlighted that Purdue, which has produced many qualified computer science graduates, should be able to find American candidates for the position. He stated, “Does anyone believe no qualified American could do this job for $149,000 a year?” He further emphasized that the university has graduated tens of thousands in this field, calling for a reassessment of their hiring practices.
Recent Instances of H-1B Visa Utilization
This is not the first time Ireland has raised alarms regarding Purdue’s use of the H-1B visa program. Just last month, he criticized Purdue University Northwest for attempting to hire a foreign assistant professor of marketing at a salary of $127,500. He questioned whether no American in the Chicago area could fulfill this role.
- The marketing position was part of the Labour Condition Application covering June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2029, at the Hammond campus.
- Purdue University filed 265 H-1B Labour Condition Applications in fiscal year 2025, with an impressive 258 getting approval.
H-1B Visa Program in Context
The H-1B visa is intended for U.S. employers seeking to hire high-skilled foreign professionals in specialized roles, particularly in the tech and defense sectors. Critics, including Ireland, argue that there is no lack of domestic talent in areas like software engineering and marketing. They believe that employing foreign workers undermines opportunities for American graduates.
National H-1B Approval Statistics
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 399,395 H-1B petitions were approved across the country in fiscal year 2024. This marks a 3% increase from 2023, with educational institutions accounting for 5.6% of these approvals.
A segment of the American political landscape, particularly ‘America First’ advocates, contend that the high volume of H-1B approvals is detrimental, suggesting it suppresses wages and limits job opportunities for local graduates. However, notable figures such as former President Donald Trump and business leaders like Elon Musk have defended the program as a means to attract top-tier global talent.
