Strongest bill against H-1B in US Congress; 3-year freeze on visas proposed

The H-1B visa programme faces its strongest challenge under the Trump administration, with a group of Republican lawmakers proposing a bill that seeks a three-year freeze on the issuance of the temporary work visas. 'End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026' was introduced in the US Congress by Arizona Republican representative Eli Crane. Professionals from India, especially in the American tech sector, are among the largest users of the H-1B visa system.

The bill has been backed by several Republican lawmakers, including Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Wesley Hunt, Keith Self, Andy Ogles, Paul Gosar, and Tom McClintock.

"The federal government should work for hardworking citizens, not the profit margins of massive corporations. We owe it to the American people to prevent the broken H-1B system from boxing them out of jobs they are qualified to perform," Congressman Crane said, according to news agency PTI.

The representatives backing the bill argue that the H-1B visa programme is being used to replace American workers with foreign labour who are paid lower salaries. The proposed legislation suggests cutting the annual cap from 65,000 to 25,000, setting a minimum salary of $200,000, and preventing visa holders from bringing dependents.

US employers use the H-1B visa programme to bring in or retain skilled foreign talent when they cannot readily find qualified US workers for specialised roles. Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, form one of the largest groups of H-1B visa holders.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced a $1,00,000 fee on fresh applications of H-1B visas, triggering mass panic among H-1B workers.

STRONGEST BILL AGAINST H-1B, CLAIMS IMMIGRATION EXPERT

Immigration policy expert Rosemary Jenks, who helped draft the proposed bill, said that without extensions, H-1B workers would have to return home after three years, forcing companies to recruit and train new hires, which would ultimately raise costs and push firms to hire more Americans. "This is the strongest H-1B bill that has ever been introduced in Congress. H-1B visas were sold to the American people as short-term visas to fill temporary labour gaps, while Americans are trained to take those jobs," Jenks added.

The bill also proposes barring federal agencies from sponsoring or employing nonimmigrant workers, ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, and reinforcing the temporary nature of visas by preventing H-1B holders from transitioning to permanent residency. It further mandates that nonimmigrants must leave the United States before switching to another nonimmigrant visa category.

"I am proud to cosponsor Rep Eli Crane's efforts to reform and tighten our H-1B visa system, ensuring that our immigration system serves American workers first before foreigners," said Congressman Brandon Gill, who is married to Indian-origin Danielle D'souza.

Another Congressman who backed the bill, Paul Gosar, alleged that the H-1B programme has been "hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour - plain and simple".

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