AHA comments on H-1B visa selection process

In a comment letter, the American Hospital Association said the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed revised H-1B visa selection process could lead to workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas. The administration proposes replacing the random lottery selection process for H-1B petitions with a weighted selection process based on wage levels, with greater weights assigned to petitions at higher wage levels to increase their likelihood of being awarded visas under the H-1B visa program’s caps. In comments to DHS, the AHA recommended the agency automatically assign the highest weight in the selection process to all occupations falling under medicine and health categories, noting health care workers only represented 2.3% of occupations in the highest wage level. The AHA also released a member advisory on the administration’s H-1B updated guidance. (AHA letter, 10/24/25)