As the immigration crackdown continues, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has described the H-1B visa, used by skilled foreign workers, as a “total scam,” claiming it allows companies to hire cheaper labour from India at the cost of American workers.

Speaking to Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, DeSantis said, "I think you're right to say the H-1B, it's become a total scam. These companies game the system. Some of these companies are laying off large numbers of Americans while also hiring new H-1B workers and renewing existing H-1B visas."

He further added, "...Most of them (H-1Bs) are from one country, India, there's a cottage industry about how all those people make money off this system."

The governor’s comments followed similar remarks by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who also described the H-1B visa programme as a scam that allows foreign workers to take jobs away from Americans.

"Hiring American workers should be the priority of all great American businesses. Now is the time to hire Americans," Lutnick said in an online post.

He also told Fox News that he is working on a major overhaul of the H-1B and green card programmes, pointing to pay disparities between American workers and green card holders as a key reason for reform.

US authorities have already approved a draft rule that would abolish the H-1B lottery system. Under the proposed changes, visas would be issued based on wages, giving preference to higher earners.

If implemented, the rule would significantly affect millions of foreign workers and students, particularly from India, which accounts for about 70 percent of H-1B visa approvals.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the United States has tightened rules for foreign workers and students, signalling a broader shift in immigration policy.