Republican Lawmakers Want to Stop H-1B Visa Program for Three Years
Republican Lawmakers Want to Stop H-1B Visa Program for Three Years
Introduction
A group of Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress has a new law. The law would stop the H-1B visa program for three years. It also makes many changes to the program. The law is called the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026. Representative Eli Crane from Arizona wrote the law. Seven other lawmakers support it. This comes after President Donald Trump made a rule. The rule asks for a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications.
Main Body
The new law has many rules. It wants to lower the number of new H-1B visas from 65,000 to 25,000 each year. It says workers must get at least $200,000 per year. H-1B workers cannot bring their family to the U.S. The law wants to stop the random choice system. Instead, visas go to jobs with higher pay. The law also says companies must say there are no American workers for the job. They must say they did not fire any American workers. H-1B workers cannot have more than one job. Companies cannot use other companies to find H-1B workers. Government offices cannot support or hire these workers. The law also stops the program that lets foreign students work after school. The lawmakers who support the law say it helps American workers. Representative Crane says the government should help American people first, not companies. Another lawmaker, Brandon Gill, says American workers must come first. Paul Gosar says the program is used to bring cheap foreign workers instead of Americans. Andy Ogles calls the H-1B system a "scam". Rosemary Jenks says this is the strongest law against H-1B abuse ever. Immigration lawyer Rahul Reddy talks about the law. He says Congress can stop a visa program. If the law passes, the government must follow it. He says there are already some countries with visa restrictions. If the program stops, current H-1B workers must leave the U.S. or change to another visa, like a student visa. The most affected people are from India. Many Indian workers wait for many years to become permanent residents. The law would stop them from changing their status. This may cause questions about the law's fairness.
Conclusion
The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 is a big attempt to change a program. Many U.S. technology companies use this program. Most H-1B workers are from India. The lawmakers say it helps American workers. Legal experts say there are many problems with the law. The law is still in the Congress. It is not a law yet.
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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.
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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 legislation that would impose a three-year moratorium on the H-1B visa programme, accompanied by a series of structural reforms. The bill, designated the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, was presented by Representative Eli Crane of Arizona and has seven co-sponsors. This development follows a prior executive action by President Donald Trump that instituted a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications.
Main Body
The proposed legislation outlines multiple modifications to the existing H-1B framework. Key provisions include a reduction of the annual visa cap from 65,000 to 25,000, the establishment of a minimum annual salary of $200,000, and a prohibition on H-1B holders bringing dependents to the United States. The bill also seeks to replace the current lottery-based selection system with a wage-based allocation process, require employers to certify that no qualified American workers are available and that no layoffs have occurred, forbid H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs, and restrict the use of third-party staffing agencies for such employment. Additional measures would bar federal agencies from sponsoring or hiring nonimmigrant workers, terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, prevent H-1B holders from adjusting their status to permanent residency, and mandate that nonimmigrants depart the country before switching to another nonimmigrant visa category. The sponsors of the bill have articulated their rationale in statements that emphasize the protection of American workers. Representative Crane asserted that the federal government should prioritize citizens over corporate profit margins and that the current H-1B system excludes qualified Americans from employment opportunities. Co-sponsor Brandon Gill expressed support for reforms that place American workers first, while Paul Gosar characterized the programme as having been “hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour.” Andy Ogles described the H-1B system as a “scam” that displaces domestic workers, and Rosemary Jenks of the Immigration Accountability Project called the bill the strongest H-1B legislation ever introduced in Congress, noting that the visas were originally intended as a temporary measure to fill labour gaps while Americans are trained. Legal and practical implications of the proposed freeze have been analyzed by immigration attorney Rahul Reddy. He noted that Congress possesses the constitutional authority to suspend a visa category, and if such a freeze were enacted, the administration would be obligated to implement it. Reddy pointed to existing restrictions on certain countries as precedents. He further explained that a freeze would compel current H-1B holders to either leave the United States or transition to another visa status, such as a student visa. The most affected group, according to Reddy, would be Indian nationals trapped in employment-based green card backlogs—some awaiting adjustment for up to two decades. Provisions in the bill that block adjustment of status would nullify the legal accrual of benefits for these individuals, potentially raising constitutional concerns.
Conclusion
The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 represents a significant legislative attempt to restructure a programme heavily utilized by U.S. technology firms and dominated by Indian professionals. While the bill’s sponsors frame it as a measure to prioritize domestic employment, legal experts highlight substantial practical and constitutional challenges that would arise from its implementation. The proposal currently remains in the legislative process, with no immediate pathway to enactment.