Iowa's gubernatorial candidates clashed over the federal H-1B visa program during a televised debate Wednesday, with Democratic nominee Rob Sand arguing that foreign professionals are needed to fill jobs and Republican nominee Zach Lahn calling for an end to state government and university hiring practices that favor imported workers over Americans.

Sand said Iowa needs professionals to fill positions across the state and warned that ending the flow of H-1B workers could leave employers without applicants if they cannot find enough American workers.

“I want to make sure that we have professionals in the state of Iowa to do what we need done for Iowans,” Sand said during the debate.

He also pointed to Iowa's relatively slow population growth as a reason to remain open to people moving into the state. Sand argued that prioritizing Iowans should not mean excluding foreign workers who could fill needed positions.

Lahn countered that state government and publicly funded universities should invest in Iowa residents and give American workers the first opportunity to fill available jobs. He said the state should focus on workforce development and training rather than relying on imported labor.

“We are a welcoming country,” Lahn said, while emphasizing that Americans struggling to find work need opportunities to develop their skills and support themselves. He called for ending H-1B hiring at Iowa's public universities and state government agencies, arguing that the state should build a long-term workforce from its own residents.

Lahn also said giving young Iowans access to these jobs could encourage them to remain in the state rather than leave for employment elsewhere.

The debate reflects a broader national dispute over the H-1B program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and typically a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Supporters argue that the program helps employers fill positions when qualified workers are difficult to find, while critics contend that employers can use it to avoid hiring or adequately compensating American workers.

Federal records cited by LayoffHedge.com indicate that since 2015, the University of Iowa filed requests involving 2,788 foreign workers, while Iowa State University of Science and Technology filed requests involving 1,385. Those figures reflect employer filings and do not necessarily represent the number of workers ultimately hired or employed today.

Other Iowa employers have also sought H-1B workers. The figures cited in the report include 305 requests by Deere & Co., 211 by TransAmerica Life Insurance Co. and 157 by Genesis Health System since 2015. The report also identifies state agencies using contractors such as Infosys and Capgemini.

The governor cannot independently abolish the federal H-1B visa program or prevent private companies from using it. However, Lahn argues that an Iowa governor can influence hiring practices within state government and public universities and encourage employers to prioritize residents.

The candidates' disagreement comes as immigration and employment policy remain subjects of national debate, particularly over whether foreign-worker programs address genuine labor shortages or limit opportunities for American workers. Sand emphasized Iowa's need for professionals and population growth, while Lahn argued that the state should focus on training and employing the people who already live there.