Vice President JD Vance urged college students Tuesday night to pressure Republican Senate candidates to support eliminating the H-1B visa program, arguing it reduces job opportunities for American graduates entering the workforce.

Speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia, Vance encouraged students to question Senate hopefuls directly about whether they would back legislation aimed at ending the program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized fields.

Vance said the system has been heavily used by large technology companies and criticized it as a mechanism that can undercut wages and limit opportunities for domestic workers. He told students he does not want them “competing against a low-wage foreigner” for entry-level positions after graduation, adding that employers should instead be compelled to offer “a fair wage for a fair day’s work.”

He noted that he previously introduced legislation in the Senate to eliminate the program, saying that while support for reform has grown, it remains insufficient to pass Congress.

Vance also distinguished between administrative actions available to the executive branch and structural changes that would require legislative approval, saying lasting reform would need Congress to codify changes into law.

The remarks highlight an ongoing divide within Republican circles over high-skilled immigration policy. Business and technology groups argue the H-1B visa program is necessary to fill specialized roles and maintain competitiveness, while populist conservatives contend it places downward pressure on wages and displaces American workers.

The debate comes amid a more competitive job market for recent graduates, particularly in technology fields, where hiring has slowed after a period of rapid expansion.