The U.S. Department of State (DOS) confirmed the stateside visa renewal pilot program it is very much happening. The pilot will start toward end of 2023 with H-1 and L-1 visas. The hope is that it will be broader in 2024.
DOS said they cannot provide additional detail yet, but confirmed that it is not a theory and will happen.
This is certainly great news for those who need to renew their H or L visas and don’t want to travel outside the U.S. to do it!