A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill in Congress aiming to permanently abolish the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized roles. This proposal has sparked significant debate about its implications for the U.S. labor market.
The H-1B visa program has long been a point of contention. Advocates argue that it addresses vital workforce shortages in critical fields such as technology, healthcare, and engineering. However, opponents raise concerns that the program could negatively impact American workers by displacing them and suppressing wages.
Representative Greg Steube of Florida has spearheaded the initiative, called the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act. He expressed that the current system prioritizes foreign workers over American citizens, noting that this trend has led to the disenfranchisement of many U.S. professionals, particularly young graduates. “Prioritizing foreign labor over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests,” Steube asserted.
Support for major changes to the H-1B visa program is emerging from both sides of the political aisle. For instance, Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne has pushed for either a complete ban or a comprehensive overhaul of the program to prevent its potential misuse. Other lawmakers, including Andy Ogles of Tennessee and Chip Roy of Texas, have called for temporary halts on H-1B visas, while Senator Mike Lee of Utah has indicated the need for reforms before deciding on the program’s future.
The Trump administration previously introduced stricter controls over the H-1B program, including imposing a $100,000 fee on specific visa petitions. This measure aims to deter dependency on foreign labor and incentivize employers to recruit higher-paid workers. Additionally, several Republican-led states have begun implementing their restrictions on H-1B hiring practices, with Texas and Florida halting new applications at public universities.
The topic has garnered increased scrutiny, particularly in light of corporate layoffs juxtaposed with the submission of numerous H-1B applications. Microsoft, for example, faced backlash after announcing massive layoffs in 2025 while simultaneously applying for thousands of H-1B visas. The company has denied any correlation between the layoffs and its visa applications.
The H-1B visa program is supervised by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with a set annual limit of 65,000 regular visas, in addition to 20,000 allocated for holders of advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
Looking ahead, if the EXILE Act is to move forward, it will need to undergo a committee review and receive necessary approvals before it can be put to a full vote in Congress. As the discussion surrounding the H-1B visa program evolves, it underscores the ongoing debate about balancing the needs of the American workforce with the realities of a global economy. This situation reflects a larger trend where lawmakers are increasingly focusing on domestic labor and the future workforce of the nation while acknowledging the complexities of the immigrant labor market.