Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt has raised concerns on social media regarding the use of H-1B visas by U.S. employers to staff diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. In a series of posts published on September 24 and 25, 2025, Schmitt outlined his position and called for federal action.

On September 24, Schmitt posted: "ICE agents are American heroes."

The following day, he addressed the issue of H-1B visa usage in DEI roles: "This is outrageous.

Some U.S. companies are using H-1B visas to staff their DEI offices.

I've reviewed numerous examples of hospitals, universities and other employers hiring foreign H-1B workers as DEI bureaucrats.

I'm urging USCIS to work with us to fix this. " (September 25, 2025).

Schmitt provided further details in another post on the same day: "Documents we reviewed show a range of U.S. employers have sought to hire foreign H-1B workers to fill their DEI positions.

For example, Yale New Haven Health filed Labor Condition Applications (LCA) for H-1B visas for the role of “Diversity and Inclusion Specialist” in 2021: https://t.co/KfCGibAml6" (September 25, 2025).

The senator's remarks highlight ongoing debates about the purpose and scope of the H-1B visa program. The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Typically used in sectors such as technology and healthcare, recent scrutiny has focused on its application in administrative or non-traditional roles like those related to diversity initiatives.

Schmitt's call for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) involvement reflects broader discussions among policymakers about potential reforms or clarifications regarding which positions qualify under current visa guidelines.