AMERICA FIRST
Empowering American Citizen Workers for a Stronger Future
For generations, America’s strength has come from its people—hardworking citizens who built tight-knit communities, shared a sense of purpose, and believed in the promise of opportunity.
But over decades, the heavy reliance on foreign labor—now ~32.3 million documented, working non-citizen workers and student enrollments serving U.S. corporations and universities in 2025—has reshaped our society. It’s brought diversity, yes, but it’s also left many Americans feeling sidelined in their own workplaces, priced out of their neighborhoods, and disconnected from the nation they call home.
The "U.S. Foreign Labor Levy" is a bold plan to restore what’s been lost. It’s not just about economics—it’s about bringing back the heart of America: strong communities, fair workplaces, and a shared sense of identity. Transparency for this initiative will be supported by the proposed NAICS 561399 classification, ensuring accurate tracking of foreign labor’s impact.
A Changing America: The Social Cost of Foreign Labor Since the 1940s, foreign labor has been a cornerstone of America’s economy, from the Bracero Program’s agricultural workers to today’s H-1B visa holders in tech.
Today, ~32.3 million documented, working non-citizen workers and student enrollments—comprising ~1.2 million visa-based foreign workers (including 214,000 H-1B, 133,000 H-2A, 84,000 H-2B, and others), ~1.1 million foreign student enrollments (F-1/OPT/CPT), ~3 million humanitarian/EAD workers (including DACA, TPS, asylum seekers, and parolees), ~13 million working green card holders, and ~14 million offshore foreign employees—fill roles in tech, agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality.
While their contributions are real, the social toll on American citizens has been steep.
- Mid-20th Century: The Bracero Program brought millions of Mexican workers to farms, enriching rural areas but often at the cost of wages and resources for U.S. citizens. Early immigration waves fueled growth but sparked tensions over jobs and belonging.
- Late 20th Century: The rise of H-1B visas and green card programs filled tech jobs with skilled foreign workers. American STEM graduates found themselves competing for fewer opportunities, while workplace cultures shifted, sometimes leaving citizens feeling like outsiders.
- Today in 2025: With ~32.3 million documented, working non-citizen workers and student enrollments, the strain is undeniable. Communities are stretched thin, wages are suppressed, and opportunities for young Americans—especially recent graduates—are shrinking. .
The social fabric that once held us together is fraying.
What’s been lost? The tight-knit communities of the past, where neighbors knew each other and invested in their hometowns. The workplace fairness that gave every American a shot at success. The belief that hard work could lift anyone up. And, perhaps most critically, the trust that our nation prioritizes its own citizens.
The Challenges We Face Today
In 2025, the impacts of foreign labor dependence are all around us, reshaping our society in ways that hit home for millions of Americans. Let’s break it down:
1. Communities Pulled Apart
High concentrations of documented, working non-citizen workers—especially the ~3 million humanitarian/EAD workers and ~14 million offshore foreign employees in hospitality and construction—put pressure on schools, housing, and healthcare, especially in rural areas. In places like these, long-term residents are being pushed out as housing costs soar, driven by transient workers who often send earnings abroad (about ~$10,400 per worker) instead of investing locally.
The result? Communities feel less like home. Cultural enclaves can form, reducing integration and creating divides. The tight-knit towns of the 1950s and 1970s, where people rallied together, are fading in areas reliant on foreign labor. American citizens feel like strangers in their own neighborhoods.
2. Workplaces That No Longer Feel Fair
Documented, working non-citizen workers often come with a ~$11,000 profit advantage for employers, making it harder for U.S. citizens to compete. In tech, ~214,000 H-1B visa holders fill roles that American STEM graduates could take. In low-wage sectors, documented, working non-citizen workers dominate, suppressing wages and sidelining citizens.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about belonging. Workplaces increasingly prioritize foreign workers, sometimes de-emphasizing English fluency or American workplace norms.
The camaraderie of mid-20th-century workplaces, where colleagues shared a common culture and purpose, has been replaced by division. U.S. citizens feel marginalized, and trust in workplace fairness is eroding.
3. The American Dream on Hold
For young graduates—about ~2.2 million in STEM and general fields each year—and low-skill workers, job opportunities are shrinking. Tech and construction jobs that once offered a path to stability are often filled by foreign workers, delaying careers and deepening poverty for Americans.
The post-WWII era, when hard work guaranteed a better life, feels like a distant memory. Social mobility, the heart of the American Dream, is stalling.
4. A Nation Divided
Reliance on foreign labor fuels polarization. Many Americans feel betrayed by policies that seem to favor non-citizens over citizens, especially when security risks in tech or economic inequities arise. Non-citizen workers don’t vote or engage in U.S. elections, weakening the democratic fabric. The sense of a shared national identity—once a source of pride—has given way to distrust and division.
The sociological toll is clear: while foreign labor brings diversity, its dominance has fractured communities, undermined workplace equity, stalled opportunity, and eroded trust. American citizens, from recent graduates to lifelong workers, are paying the price.
A Path Forward: The U.S. Foreign Labor Levy
The "U.S. Foreign Labor Levy" is a plan to restore America’s social strength by prioritizing U.S. citizen workers through a 4-Pillar, 4-Tier Salary Framework.
By 2028, it aims to reduce documented, working non-citizen workers and student enrollments from 32.3 million to ~16.15 million (a 50% reduction), with 80% of the ~16.15 million slots transitioning to ~12.92 million American citizens.
Tiered taxes across Work Visa & Employment Levy, Foreign Worker Payroll Levy, Employee Remittance Levy, and Offshoring Levy—escalating to eliminate the ~$11,000 profit edge by Year 3—will level the playing field and generate ~$828 billion in annualized revenue to fund community renewal and workforce development, with transparency ensured by the proposed NAICS 561399 classification.
Here’s how it will rebuild what we’ve lost:
1. Bringing Communities Back Together
By reducing documented, working non-citizen workers and student enrollments through phased attrition (e.g., ~1.62 million fewer in 2025, scaling to ~16.15 million fewer by 2028), the Levy eases pressure on housing, schools, and healthcare. With ~12.92 million U.S. citizens stepping into these roles by 2028, local economies will thrive as workers invest in their hometowns.
The ~$828 billion in annualized Levy proceeds will fund community projects, like revitalized schools or local businesses, reviving the tight-knit spirit of decades past.
2. Restoring Fairness to Workplaces
The Levy’s taxes—tiered by salary brackets (<$35K constant at lower rates; escalating to 20–55% on higher tiers by Year 3)—eliminate the ~$11,000 profit edge of non-citizen workers. This levels the playing field, encouraging employers to hire ~12.92 million U.S. workers by 2028 in tech, hospitality, and beyond (e.g., ~8.07 million cumulative by 2027). As American graduates fill these roles, workplaces will feel united again, with shared norms and a renewed sense of fairness.
Example: Tech companies hiring U.S. STEM graduates will bridge cultural divides, fostering the camaraderie of earlier eras.
3. Reviving the American Dream
With ~12.92 million new jobs for U.S. citizens in tech, healthcare, and construction, the Levy opens doors for graduates and low-skill workers alike. Training programs, funded by ~$207 billion annually (25% of proceeds), will prepare Americans for high-demand roles, like supporting the ~2.2 million STEM graduates each year. The path to economic stability will be clear again, making the American Dream achievable.
Example: Construction jobs once held by non-citizen workers will become steppingstones for U.S. citizens, offering pride and opportunity.
4. Rebuilding Trust and Unity
By prioritizing citizens and strengthening vetting, the Levy addresses economic unfairness and security concerns, easing polarization. A workforce led by Americans who vote, engage, and believe in their country will strengthen our national identity. Public campaigns funded by the Levy will promote fairness, not division, bringing us together like generations past. Example: Stories of U.S. workers reclaiming their place in the economy will inspire trust and pride across communities.
The Levy balances diversity with a citizen-first approach, restoring the social core of America while carefully managing transitions in sectors like agriculture and healthcare, with NAICS 561399 providing the data backbone.
Addressing the Risks
- Change won’t be easy, but the Levy anticipates challenges and offers solutions, supported by NAICS 561399 data for monitoring:
- Labor Shortages: Agriculture and healthcare may face gaps. Solution: Use Levy funds to train and recruit U.S. citizens for these roles.
- Cultural Loss: Reduced foreign labor could slow diversity. Solution: Promote inclusive community programs to celebrate cultural strengths.
- Social Tensions: Rapid shifts might spark backlash. Solution: Public campaigns will focus on fairness and unity, not division.
- Global Competitiveness: Tech could face STEM shortages. Solution: Accelerate training programs to build a strong U.S. workforce
Join the Movement
The "U.S. Foreign Labor Levy" is more than a policy—it’s a chance to rebuild the America we love. It’s about bringing back communities where neighbors support each other, workplaces where every citizen has a fair shot, and a nation where opportunity and trust unite us.
By empowering ~12.92 million U.S. workers and reducing reliance on non-citizen labor, with NAICS 561399 ensuring transparency, we can restore what made America strong for generations to come.
Take Action: Contact your state representatives to support the "American Workforce Protection and Employment Act." Demand a labor market that puts U.S. citizens first. Use our Legislative Letter Template (#) to make your voice heard today!
Together, we can reclaim the heart of America—for our communities, our workers, and our future.
Sources:
- USCIS H-1B Electronic Registration Process and H-1B Cap Season Data (FY 2024–2025)
- USCIS Employment-Based Adjustment of Status and Green Card Issuance Data (FY 2024–2025)
- BLS Labor Force Characteristics of Foreign-Born Workers and Employment Projections (2024–2025)
- DHS Refugee Admissions, Asylee Grants, and TPS Designation Data (FY 2024–2025) NDIA
- Emerging Technologies Institute Report on DoD STEM Workforce Challenges (2024)
- Leading Age PA and HAP Survey on Healthcare Workforce Shortages (2024–2025)
- Project 2025 Immigration Policy Critiques (2024–2025)
- Putnam, R. (2007). E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the 21st Century
- Alba, R., & Nee, V. (2003). Remaking the American Mainstream
- IIE Open Doors: F-1/J-1/OPT/CPT economic impact (2023)
- MPI: Visa estimates (2025)
- DOL: H-2A/H-2B data (2024)
- DHS/OHS: LPR, refugee/asylee data (2024–2025)
- Pew: Undocumented estimates (2024)