A new H-1B filing by the University of Pennsylvania has sparked controversy after details of a $79,584 data analyst role circulated on social media this week.American commentator Chris Brunet, referring to the case on X, wrote that the institution had appointed a foreign employee for the post. “This morning, the University of Pennsylvania (@Penn) filed a notice of intent to hire an H-1B data analyst. Salary: $79,584,’ Brunet wrote.According to the filing, the position is in the Department of General Internal Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine. The annual salary is listed as $79,584.75, this role will start on December 23, 2025 and run through December 22, 2028.Work locations include multiple sites in Philadelphia, among them 423 Guardian Drive and 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, with remote arrangements in Philadelphia and Wynwood, Pennsylvania.The university’s notice said the labor condition application was submitted in compliance with U.S. Department of Labor requirements for H-1B hiring. It also confirmed that a candidate had already been selected, adding that the notice was “not a posting for an open position.”It warns that “Complaints alleging misrepresentation of material facts in a labor status application and/or failure to comply with the terms of a labor status application may be filed with any office of the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor.”Because the University of Pennsylvania is a border-exempt institution, it can hire H-1B workers without going through the annual visa lottery that most private companies must use. US government records show the university has submitted dozens of H-1B applications in the 2026 fiscal year. These applications are usually approved after officials confirm that the employer is following wage and labor regulations designed to protect American workers.This filing sparked controversy over the use of the H-1B program, particularly in higher education. Conservative television host Laura Ingraham has previously criticized the system, calling it an “obscene” scam, arguing that it hurts American workers. James Fischbach, Nalin Haley, Priya Patel and many other MAGA bigots have doubled down on this anti-H-1B stance.“All state universities in our great nation that receive public funding should not be allowed to hire, train, enroll, or educate foreigners,” one social media user wrote.Another comment said, “Ridiculous. There are many Americans who are capable of doing this job. We must stop this crazy Indian immigration nonsense. Especially since we know many of them bought their degrees and certificates and are unqualified for their positions. No!”
