A new H-1B petition sparked controversy this week as details of a $79,584 data analyst position at the University of Pennsylvania circulated on social media.American commentator Chris Brunet mentioned the case in X and wrote that the agency hired a foreign worker for the position. “This morning, the University of Pennsylvania (@Penn) submitted a notice of intent to hire an H-1B data analyst. Salary: $79,584,” Brunette wrote.The position is in the Department of General Internal Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine, according to the document. With an annual salary of $79,584.75, this position will begin December 23, 2025 and continue through December 22, 2028.Work locations include multiple locations in Philadelphia, including 423 Guardian Drive and 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, as well as remote arrangements in Philadelphia and Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.The university’s notice states that the labor condition application was submitted in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s requirements for H-1B recruitment. It also confirmed that a candidate has been selected, adding that the notification “is not an announcement for a vacancy”.It warns that “complaints regarding misrepresentations of material facts in a labor conditions application and/or failure to comply with the terms of a labor conditions application may be filed with any office of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.”Because Penn is a cap-exempt institution, it can hire H-1B workers without going through the annual visa lottery that most private companies must use. U.S. government records show that the university has submitted dozens of H-1B applications for fiscal year 2026. These applications are typically approved once officials confirm that the employer is complying with wage and labor rules designed to protect American workers.The document sparked controversy over the use of the H-1B program, particularly in higher education. Conservative TV host Laura Ingraham has previously criticized the system, calling it an “obscene” scam that she believes is bad for American workers. Many other MAGA loudmouths such as James Fishback, Nalin Haley, and Priya Patel have doubled down on their opposition to H-1B.“None of the state universities in our great nation that receive public funds should be allowed to hire, train, enroll or educate foreigners,” one social media user wrote.Another comment read: “Ridiculous. There are plenty of Americans who are capable of doing this job. We have to stop this crazy Indian immigration nonsense. Especially since we know some of them bought degrees and certificates but are not qualified for the positions. No!”
