A group of Republican lawmakers has introduced a bill proposing a temporary halt and significant reforms to the H-1B visa program, aiming to prioritize American workers amid growing concerns about foreign labor replacing domestic jobs.
On April 22, 2023, Representative Eli Crane of Arizona introduced the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 in Congress. This legislation proposes a three-year moratorium on the issuance of H-1B visas, coupled with extensive reforms designed to reshape the visa system and prioritize American employment.
The bill has garnered support from several Republican representatives including Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, Wesley Hunt, Tom McClintock, Keith Self, and Andy Ogles, all of whom are original cosponsors. The introduction of this legislation comes in response to increasing concerns from some lawmakers that American companies are excessively relying on foreign workers at the expense of domestic job seekers.
Proposed Changes to the H-1B Program
The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act seeks to implement sweeping changes to the current H-1B visa program. Key provisions include a reduction of the annual cap on H-1B visas from 65,000 to 25,000, the elimination of existing exemptions, and a shift from the current lottery selection system to a wage-based selection process. Furthermore, employers would be required to certify that they have made a genuine effort to hire qualified American workers and have not conducted any layoffs prior to hiring foreign labor.
Among the additional changes proposed, the legislation stipulates a minimum salary of $200,000 for H-1B visa holders, prohibits them from holding multiple jobs, and bans third-party staffing agencies from employing H-1B workers. It also seeks to prevent H-1B visa holders from bringing dependents into the country, prohibits federal agencies from sponsoring nonimmigrant workers, and aims to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Moreover, the bill intends to reinforce the temporary nature of H-1B visas by blocking pathways to permanent residency and mandating that visa holders leave the country before any change in their immigration status.
Legislative Intent and Support
Representative Crane articulated the motivation behind the legislation, stating, “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.” He emphasized that the proposed reforms would enhance employment access for Americans, strengthen the visa process, and prioritize the livelihoods of domestic workers.
Representative Gill expressed pride in supporting Crane’s initiative, affirming that the reforms are aimed at ensuring that the immigration system serves American workers before considering foreign labor. Similarly, Representative Gosar criticized the current H-1B program, alleging that it has been exploited to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. He stated, “This bill slams the brakes on a system that’s rigged against our own people and puts American jobs first again.”
Representative Ogles echoed these sentiments, asserting that American workers have been displaced by foreign labor and emphasizing the need to protect domestic employment opportunities. He declared, “We will not bow down to the corporations, and we will not let Americans become strangers in their own country. End the H-1B scam.”
Reactions from Advocacy Groups
Supporters of the bill view it as a significant step toward tightening the H-1B visa system. Rosemary Jenks, cofounder of the Immigration Accountability Project, characterized the proposal as a major shift in policy. She remarked, “This is the strongest H-1B bill that has ever been introduced in Congress. H-1B visas were sold to the American people as a short-term visa to fill temporary labor gaps while Americans are trained to take those jobs.” Jenks highlighted that the proposed reforms aim to make this promise a reality by reducing visa caps and significantly increasing costs while prohibiting third-party employment and ending the Optional Practical Training program.
The bill’s introduction signals a growing Republican push to address concerns about the impact of foreign labor on the American workforce, but it also raises questions about its potential implications for the technology and other sectors that heavily rely on skilled foreign workers.
As the legislative process unfolds, the debate surrounding the H-1B visa program is expected to intensify, reflecting broader discussions about immigration policy, labor markets, and the balance between protecting American jobs and maintaining the nation’s competitiveness in a global economy.
