Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a 13-state coalition calling on the U.S. Department of Labor to raise the minimum wage requirements tied to the H-1B visa program, adding his voice to a growing effort to tighten standards around the country’s primary pathway for hiring high-skilled foreign workers.

The Coalition’s Argument

The coalition submitted formal comments in support of a proposed federal rulemaking that would establish higher wage floors for H-1B positions. The states contend that stronger wage requirements would curb employers’ incentive to use the visa program primarily as a cost-reduction tool rather than as a means of filling genuine skills gaps in the domestic workforce.

The H-1B program was designed to allow companies to recruit highly skilled foreign employees when qualified American workers are not available. Coalition members argued that without stricter wage minimums, the program can be exploited in ways that disadvantage American workers — pointing to instances where major technology firms pursued H-1B filings during the same period they were conducting significant layoffs.

Idaho’s Role

Labrador’s participation aligns with concerns he has previously raised about federal labor standards surrounding the H-1B program. His office joins counterparts from 12 other states in pressing the Labor Department to act on the rulemaking proposal.

The formal comment submission represents a standard avenue through which state officials can weigh in on federal regulatory proceedings before a rule is finalized. The Labor Department will review comments submitted during the public input period before issuing any final rule.

For more background on the coalition’s specific proposals, see the full breakdown of the 13-state letter.