Trump and Cornyn Get It Wrong: New Data Shows H-1B Visas Are Replacing American Workers, Not Filling Shortages
Washington, DC – President Trump shocked many of his own supporters this month when he doubled down on his defense of the H-1b visa program, insisting that American companies “need access to the best talent in the world.” For Texans, who’ve watched this program undercut the wages of their neighbors for decades, the remarks landed with a thud. Even more frustrating is that the loudest longtime champion of the H-1b system isn’t a Democrat at all, but Texas Senator John Cornyn—Congress’s most reliable ally to the outsourcing lobby and a consistent advocate for expanding H-1b allotments and giving good-paying American jobs to foreign workers.
The FY 2024 Labor Condition Application data, the mandatory filings companies submit before importing H-1b workers, tells a story very different from what the political class sells.
For years, the public has been told these visas fill “critical shortages.” The numbers show the opposite. According to federal LCA filings for FY 2024, employers sought more than 223,000 foreign workers in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector alone. That sector, known by its NAICS code 54, accounts for more than half of all H-1B activity in the United States. And when you drill down, it becomes clear that these are not exotic, rarefied roles requiring knowledge unavailable in the American labor pool. They are overwhelmingly standard computer jobs that tens of thousands of Americans are already trained to perform.
The data reveals that more than 90 percent of all H-1b roles in NAICS 54 are computer-related: software engineers, developers, data analysts, and project managers. The top job title, Software Engineer, accounted for 27,875 cases. Software Developer followed with over 20,000. Senior engineers, architects, data scientists, and business analysts rounded out the list.
These are not obscure specialties. They are the backbone of the modern American workforce. For decades, U.S. universities have produced more graduates in these fields than the market will absorb, leaving many Americans struggling to compete against corporations that prefer cheaper, visa-dependent workers.
Outside the tech sector, the top industries importing H-1b labor also contradict the “skills shortage” narrative. After Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, the next-largest sectors were Information; Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing; Finance and Insurance; Educational Services; Retail; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Materials Manufacturing.
These industries requested tens of thousands of foreign workers. The average salaries attached to these filings—ranging from $118,000 to well over $160,000 in many categories—show the financial motive at play. These are not low-wage jobs Americans refuse to do. They are well-paid jobs that companies would rather fill with workers who cannot negotiate, unionize, or threaten to leave without risking deportation.
In the number-one sector alone, the breakdown of job titles shatters any illusion that Americans “can’t” do this work. Corporations filed for 5,777 Senior Software Engineers, 3,323 Data Engineers, 3,093 mid-level Software Development Engineers, and more than a 1,000 DevOps professionals. Many of these positions mirror exactly the roles American workers have been laid off from in recent years, only to watch their own jobs filled by imported labor. Some have even been forced to train their replacements before being shown the door. Yet corporate lobbyists continue insisting that the domestic talent pool is insufficient.
The federal data paints a clear picture: the H-1B program is not filling shortages—it is creating them. And policymakers like Senator Cornyn have helped build this reality. Cornyn has spent years pushing expansions of the visa program, arguing that American competitiveness depends on foreign labor pipelines. His advocacy has aligned closely with the interests of multinational consulting firms and outsourcing giants, many of which are among the top H-1b filers each year. The H-1b program has become a subsidy for companies that want highly skilled labor without paying highly skilled wages.
That context makes the President’s recent remarks even more uncomfortable for voters who believed he would stand with American workers. Trump’s instinct has always been to support U.S. industry, but on this particular issue, industry has misled him. Corporations insist they need imported talent because they cannot find qualified Americans, but never mention that federal data contradicts them. They don’t mention that wages in many of these fields have stagnated even as demand supposedly soars. They don’t mention that the program legally allows companies to pay foreign workers below the median market wage.
The “why” is simple: companies want leverage. H-1b workers are tied to their employers. They cannot easily switch jobs, demand raises, or push back against exploitative conditions. American workers can—and do. The H-1b program shifts bargaining power away from citizens and toward multinational firms, and Congress has allowed this system to grow because corporate donors prefer it that way.
If President Trump truly wants to put American workers first, and Make America Great Again, this is the moment to look past the talking points and confront what the data reveals. And if John Cornyn wants to defend the Texas workforce he claims to represent, he could start by acknowledging that the H-1b program he championed is now a mechanism for replacing Americans, not empowering them. The numbers are in. The shortage isn’t talent. The shortage is honesty.
RED OAK, Texas — It was standing room only, overflow rooms packed, and tempers running high. Yet after hours of objections from residents, a divided Red Oak City Council voted around midnight to approve a massive data center project, leaving many citizens convinced their elected officials had already made up their minds long before the first speaker approached the podium.
The May 11 meeting drew such a crowd that even reporters struggled to get inside. According to Fox 4 News, the council chamber seats 136 people, and at least 70 additional residents had to wait outside or gather in a separate room because of capacity limits. The issue before the council was a proposal to rezone more than 800 acres of farmland for what would become another large data center development. Residents packed the meeting to oppose it. By multiple accounts, no organized speakers appeared in support of the project.
According to Fox 4, city leaders allotted one hour for supporters and one hour for opponents to speak. Residents later complained that the process appeared tilted against citizens because there were virtually no supporters present, while opponents continued lining up to address the council.
The proposal ultimately involved rezoning approximately 830 acres and included a tax abatement package approved by a 4 to 1 vote. Fox 4 reported the council entered executive session for nearly an hour before returning shortly before midnight to cast the decisive vote. Residents who remained said they were willing to stay until 2 a.m. if necessary.
Mayor Mark Stanfill and council members Willie Franklin Jr., Ricardo Miller, and Tim Lightfoot formed the majority approving the measure. Councilman Jeffrey Smith cast the lone dissenting vote. Critics say the four officials effectively ignored overwhelming public opposition and pressed ahead anyway.
Residents repeatedly raised concerns about noise, electrical demand, water consumption, and the location of the facility near schools. City officials argued the project would not use city water for cooling and emphasized the economic benefits and tax revenue expected from the development.
Those assurances did little to calm residents.
“How many of these data centers are next to your house, Mr. Mayor? How many are on the east side of town?” resident Martel Edwards asked during the meeting.
Kim Sterman expressed concern about children attending nearby schools.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen to the children who are going to be going to schools,” Sterman said. “All of our schools over there, the high school and the junior high are going to be pretty close to this new patent board facility. Y’all don’t know what’s going to happen.“
Residents also complained that city officials threatened individuals displaying anti-data center signs on their property, allegations reported separately by local media and discussed by residents during and after the controversy. Those claims could not be independently verified by Pipkins Reports.
The battle in Red Oak reflects a growing national trend. Data centers are essential to modern computing and artificial intelligence systems. But communities across Texas and the country have increasingly questioned the rapid expansion of these facilities.
Critics point to concerns over electricity demand, environmental impacts, noise, and the industrialization of previously rural land. Some studies and utility reports have warned that rising AI related power consumption could place additional stress on electric grids and contribute to higher costs for consumers.
Residents expressed frustration that another major project was being approved despite widespread opposition. Some expressed that the process to replace the Mayor and other City Council members, began last night and that the action they have taken regarding the Data Center has sealed their fate.
Sources: Red Oak YouTube; Fox 4 News; City of Red Oak records;
Texas — In the rough and tumble world of modern politics, it seems nearly everything has become a partisan battlefield. Yet amid the endless political shouting, one alliance continues to produce tangible results for working Texans: the economic partnership between the United States and Israel.
While national headlines often focus on military cooperation or foreign policy disputes, a quieter story has been unfolding across Texas. Israeli companies have invested billions of dollars in the Lone Star State, bringing manufacturing, technology, defense innovation, and thousands of jobs along with them.
According to data reported by state and industry sources, Israeli businesses have invested approximately $3.2 billion in Texas over the past decade, supporting more than 4,200 jobs. Those investments stretch from Fort Worth’s defense sector to Austin’s growing energy technology industry. For many Texans, the U.S., Israel relationship is not an abstract diplomatic concept. It is a paycheck, a career opportunity, or a growing local economy.
One of the most visible examples is Elbit Systems of America, the U.S. subsidiary of Israeli defense technology giant Elbit Systems. Headquartered in Fort Worth, the company develops advanced defense, aviation, homeland security, and electronic systems used by American military forces and government agencies. Luke Savoie is President and CEO-elect. The company reports more than 3,300 employees nationwide and maintains its corporate headquarters in Texas.
The Fort Worth operation has become a significant contributor to the local economy. Company officials have previously reported employing hundreds of Texans at multiple facilities in the region while supporting a broader network of suppliers and contractors throughout the state.
The company’s work also illustrates how the relationship functions in practice. Israeli research and development capabilities are combined with American manufacturing, engineering, and workforce talent. The result is technology that supports U.S. military readiness while generating jobs and investment at home.
That model has expanded beyond defense. Another Israeli company, SolarEdge Technologies, has established a major manufacturing presence in Austin through its partnership with Flex. In June 2025, the company announced that its Austin facility had produced its 250,000th solar inverter, a milestone that drew recognition from Governor Greg Abbott. The company stated that the operation has created more than 1,000 high quality jobs in Texas.
Solar inverters are a critical component of renewable energy systems, converting electricity generated by solar panels into usable power. SolarEdge officials say the Austin facility supports domestic manufacturing while helping strengthen American energy infrastructure. The company has also expanded exports of products manufactured in the United States to international markets.
SolarEdge Chief Executive Officer Shuki Nir recently emphasized the importance of American manufacturing, stating that exporting U.S. manufactured products demonstrates the company’s commitment to meeting demand for American made quality, reliability, and innovation around the world.
These investments have received support from Texas leaders across the political spectrum. Governor Abbott has repeatedly promoted economic ties with Israel, highlighting the state’s growing role as a destination for Israeli technology, energy, and defense companies. The governor’s office formally recognized SolarEdge’s Austin manufacturing milestone in 2025, citing its contributions to job creation and domestic production.
The economic relationship reflects a broader pattern. Texas has long attracted foreign investment because of its business friendly climate, skilled workforce, and strategic location. Israeli firms, known globally for innovation in defense, cybersecurity, energy, and technology sectors, have increasingly viewed Texas as a natural partner. The combination has proven profitable for both sides. Israeli companies gain access to American markets and talent, while Texas communities receive investment, jobs, and expanded industrial capacity.
Disclosure: Pipkins Reports is not affiliated with Elbit Systems of America or SolarEdge Technologies. No compensation or other consideration was received from either company for the writing or publication of this article.
Google Co-Founder Heads to Florida
Sacramento, CA. – A seismic shift in California’s economic landscape is quietly underway as lawmakers and union backers push a controversial billionaire wealth tax. What was pitched as a modest 5 percent levy on the ultra-wealthy has exposed more serious threats to innovation and property rights — and it has already driven one of the state’s most famous founders out of California. Google co-founder Larry Page has relocated to Florida, driven in part by provisions in the tax that could assess billions of dollars on unrealized gains tied to super-voting Class B stock.
The proposal — officially titled the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act — would impose a one-time 5 percent charge on the net worth of individuals whose worldwide assets exceed $1 billion as of January 1, 2026. Supporters frame it as a targeted revenue source for healthcare, food assistance, and education, critics warn the tax’s mechanics could reshape American capital formation.
What the Proposal Actually Does
Under the initiative, wealth is defined as total global net worth, including publicly traded stocks, private business interests, intellectual property, and other assets — excluding most real estate and certain retirement accounts. Rather than taxing only realized income, the tax includes unrealized gains in asset value. That means founders may owe tax on increases in stock value they have never sold.
The language of the proposal goes a step further: it treats voting power as though it were equivalent to economic ownership for founders with dual-class stock structures. In Silicon Valley, it is common for founders to hold Class B super-voting shares that confer control with far less economic interest than voting interest. Under the initiative’s valuation rules, a founder with 3 percent of a company’s economic shares but 30 percent voting control could be treated, for tax purposes, as owning 30 percent of the company — multiplying their taxable wealth many times over.
Economists have pointed out that this “voting power equals ownership” assumption effectively taxes phantom wealth — value that exists on paper but is not proportionate to actual economic ownership. The result: tax bills far greater than a simple 5 percent of net worth might suggest, particularly for founders of tech companies structured around dual-class stock.
Exodus of Billionaires Begins
The reaction among California’s wealthy has been dramatic. Larry Page, whose super-voting Class B shares give him outsized control at Alphabet, has purchased multiple high-value properties in Florida and moved many business entities out of California. His relocation comes amid widespread concerns that the wealth tax could penalize founders disproportionately based on voting shares rather than actual economic stake.
Venture capitalist Peter Thiel has also publicly mobilized against the tax, donating millions to efforts to defeat it and shifting aspects of his business operations to Miami. Other tech leaders and investors are reconsidering their California footprint, with some establishing offices or residences in states like Texas or Florida.
Economic and Legal Concerns
Economists and legal scholars caution that enforcing a tax on unrealized gains is inherently complex. Valuing privately held assets and dual-class stock structures invites disputes and litigation. The retroactive assessment based on residency at a fixed date could expose residents to significant tax bills even if they had intended to leave the state before the tax was implemented.
Critics also argue that using voting power as a proxy for economic value could violate constitutional protections against uncompensated takings, as it effectively treats control rights — not purely economic interest — as taxable property. Legal challenges are almost certain if the measure qualifies for the ballot and is approved by voters.
Political Clash
Supporters, including union leaders and some progressive advocates, say the tax would help fill budget gaps in healthcare and social services created by federal spending cuts. They maintain that the ultra-wealthy have benefited disproportionately from California’s economy and should contribute more.
Governor Gavin Newsom (D), has distanced himself from the proposal, warning that it threatens investment and could accelerate capital flight. Business groups such as the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Business Roundtable have echoed those warnings, describing the tax as a “dangerous wealth tax” that could harm the state’s competitiveness.
Broader Implications
California’s billionaire tax debate has quickly transcended local politics to become a national test case. If approved by voters in November 2026, it could encourage similar initiatives elsewhere, particularly in high-tax states. At the same time, the backlash has highlighted the risks of taxing unrealized gains — a feature that economists and tax policy experts say is untested and could disrupt capital formation.
For states like Texas and Florida, which champion low taxes and economic freedom, California’s experiment presents both a contrast and an opportunity. As capital and executives reassess their domiciles, the business climate and economic growth of states without such wealth taxes may benefit.
Larry Page’s move to Florida is not just a personal choice. It is a symbolic indicator of where capital flows in response to policy. Once talent and wealth leave, they seldom return. California’s experiment in wealth taxation should give pause not only to its voters but to every state considering similar schemes.
Sources:
Tax Foundation, “The Proposed California Wealth Tax Is Far Higher than 5 Percent,” January 2026.
California Attorney General Initiative Text, “2026 Billionaire Tax Act.”
Business Insider, “Larry Page Continues His California Exile with Florida Property Purchases,” January 2026.
Yahoo Finance, “Peter Thiel’s $3 Million Donation to Defeat California Wealth Tax,” January 2026.
WebProNews, “Dual-Class Voting Share Valuation Sparks Silicon Valley Outrage,” January 2026.
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