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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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A Republican lawmaker has proposed a new bill in Congress that seeks to permanently end the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.
Why It Matters
Supporters argue that the H-1B visa program fills critical labor shortages in sectors such as technology, health care, and engineering, while critics say the visa program can displace U.S. workers and undercut wages for Americans.
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There is bipartisan agreement among many Republicans and Democrats that the program needs to be reformed.
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What To Know
Representative Greg Steube, a Florida Republican, introduced the legislation, called the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act. Steube cited concerns that the H-1B program prioritizes foreign labor over U.S. citizens, saying that American workers, including young professionals, are being displaced in the workforce.
“Prioritizing foreign labor over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests,” Rep. Steube said in a press release.
Several other Republican lawmakers have proposed ending or sharply restricting the H‑1B visa program. Representative Beth Van Duyne of Texas has called for a total ban or complete overhaul of the H‑1B visa program, saying it must stop or be redesigned to prevent misuse.
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia proposed legislation to eliminate the program entirely. And Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee and Representative Chip Roy of Texas have called for pauses or freezes on H‑1B visas, while Senator Mike Lee of Utah has questioned whether the program should continue without reforms.
The Trump administration is tightening control over the H-1B visa program and changing how skilled worker visas are handed out. The federal government is slapping a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions, part of a series of measures aimed at curbing program misuse and encouraging employers to hire higher-paid workers.
Officials say the fee is meant to reduce dependence on foreign labor.
Several Republican-led states are cracking down on H-1B hiring at public universities and state agencies. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has frozen new H-1B petitions through May 31, 2027, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has instructed the state’s Board of Governors to halt H-1B hiring at public universities.
Companies such as Microsoft have faced scrutiny after laying off nearly 16,000 employees in 2025 while continuing to file thousands of H‑1B visa applications for skilled foreign workers. Critics questioned the timing, but Microsoft denied any connection between the layoffs and visa use.
The H-1B visa program, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is subject to an annual numerical cap of 65,000 regular visas, with an additional 20,000 visas allocated to applicants who hold advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
What People Are Saying
Rep. Steube said in a press release: “Our workers and young people continue to be displaced and disenfranchised by the H-1B visa program that awards corporations and foreign competitors at the expense of our workforce. We cannot preserve the American dream for our children while forfeiting their share to non-citizens. That is why I am introducing the EXILE Act to put working Americans first again.”
Jim McCoy, CEO of Atlas, a global hiring and legal compliance company, said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "The price tag for H-1B talent in 2026 will become so burdensome it will force employers to scale back their programs. This means we are likely to see a loosening of return-to-work mandates. We also expect to see more emphasis on efforts to attract and engage global talent where they reside, or on transferring them to markets that offer more favorable visa environments."
What Happens Next
The legislation will require committee review and approval before being considered for a full vote.
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