Republican Lawmakers Propose Three-Year Suspension of H-1B Visa Programme with Substantial Reforms
Introduction
A group of Republican members of the U.S. Congress has introduced a bill that would impose a three-year freeze on the H-1B visa programme, along with several major changes. The bill, called the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, was presented by Representative Eli Crane of Arizona and has seven co-sponsors. This follows an earlier executive action by President Donald Trump that introduced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications.
Main Body
The proposed legislation outlines several changes to the current H-1B system. Key provisions include reducing the yearly visa limit from 65,000 to 25,000, setting a minimum yearly salary of $200,000, and banning H-1B holders from bringing family members to the United States. Furthermore, the bill aims to replace the current lottery system with a wage-based selection process. It would also require employers to confirm that no qualified American workers are available and that no layoffs have occurred. In addition, it would prevent H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs and limit the use of outside staffing agencies for such employment. Other measures would stop federal agencies from sponsoring or hiring nonimmigrant workers, end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, prevent H-1B holders from changing their status to permanent residency, and require nonimmigrants to leave the country before switching to another visa type. The sponsors of the bill have explained their reasons, focusing on protecting American workers. Representative Crane asserted that the federal government should put citizens first, not company profits, and that the current H-1B system keeps qualified Americans out of jobs. Co-sponsor Brandon Gill expressed support for reforms that place American workers first. Paul Gosar characterized the programme as having been 'taken over to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour.' Andy Ogles described the H-1B system as a 'scam' that replaces domestic workers. Furthermore, Rosemary Jenks of the Immigration Accountability Project called the bill the strongest H-1B legislation ever proposed in Congress, noting that the visas were originally intended as a temporary solution to fill job shortages while Americans are trained. Legal and practical effects of the proposed freeze have been examined by immigration attorney Rahul Reddy. He pointed out that Congress has the constitutional power to suspend a visa category, and if such a freeze were enacted, the administration would be required to carry it out. Reddy mentioned existing restrictions on certain countries as examples. He further explained that a freeze would force current H-1B holders to either leave the United States or switch to another visa type, such as a student visa. According to Reddy, the most affected group would be Indian nationals stuck in long waiting lists for employment-based green cards—some have been waiting for up to 20 years. Provisions in the bill that block adjustment of status would cancel the legal benefits these individuals have built up, which could raise constitutional questions.
Conclusion
The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 is an important legislative effort to restructure a programme widely used by U.S. technology firms and mostly by Indian professionals. While the bill's sponsors describe it as a measure to put American jobs first, legal experts point out major practical and constitutional problems that would arise from its implementation. The proposal is still going through the legislative process, with no clear path to becoming law.