Washington, April 25: A group of Republican lawmakers has introduced a bill proposing a three-year suspension of H-1B visa issuance and reforms to the program. They argue that the H-1B visa has harmed American workers.
The “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026,” proposed by Rep. Eli Crane, aims to improve the visa system and implement stricter regulations before it is reinstated.
Crane stated, “The federal government should work for hardworking citizens, not for the profits of large corporations. We owe it to the American public to prevent the H-1B system from failing, so they are not deprived of jobs they are qualified for.”
He further emphasized that this bill would “provide more job opportunities, strengthen protocols in the visa process, and prioritize hiring Americans.”
The bill has garnered support from several Republican lawmakers, including Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, and Andy Ogles.
Brandon Gill expressed pride in co-sponsoring Rep. Eli Crane’s efforts to reform and tighten the H-1B visa system, ensuring that American workers are prioritized over foreign labor.
The proposed legislation suggests significant changes. It would reduce the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and eliminate exemptions. It would replace the lottery system with a wage-based selection process and set a minimum salary of $200,000 per year.
Employers would need to certify that no qualified American workers are available and confirm that they have not laid off employees. The bill would also prevent H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs and ban third-party recruiting agencies from hiring them.
Other provisions include a ban on bringing dependents by H-1B workers, the termination of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, and restrictions on visa holders transitioning to permanent residency.
Paul Gosar remarked, “The H-1B program has been abused to replace American workers with cheap foreign labor. This bill curtails a system that discriminates against our own people and prioritizes American jobs.”
Ogles added, “Cheap foreign labor is being used in place of American workers. We will not bow to corporations, nor will we allow Americans to become strangers in their own country. End the H-1B scam.”
The proposal also states that non-immigrant visas will remain temporary, requiring visa holders to leave the U.S. before changing to another visa status, and federal agencies will be prohibited from sponsoring such workers.
Rosemary Jenks, co-founder of the Immigration Accountability Project, described it as “the strongest H-1B bill ever introduced in Congress.” She stated, “The H-1B visa was sold to the American people as a temporary visa to fill labor shortages while training Americans for those jobs. This bill makes that a reality.”
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, particularly in technology and engineering fields. Indian nationals have historically been the largest beneficiaries of these visas, forming a significant part of the high-skilled workforce in the United States. This program has long been a contentious issue in Washington, with critics arguing that it depresses domestic wages, while industry groups contend that it addresses critical skill shortages and fosters innovation in the U.S. economy.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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