‘End H-1B Visa Abuse Act’: Republican lawmakers seek 3-year suspension, tougher rules

In a bid to tighten restrictions on the H-1B visa programme, a group of Republican lawmakers has introduced legislation seeking a three-year pause on the issuance of H-1B visas and to reform the system. They argued that the interests of US workers were being jeopardised due to the flawed system.

Bill proposes pause and overhaul

The Bill called ‘End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026’ has been introduced by Eli Crane and is aimed at overhauling the visa system before restarting it’s with tighter restrictions.

Also Read: Two Indian-Americans plead guilty to H-1B visa fraud scheme

"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," Crane said.

“The Bill would provide greater access to employment, strengthen protocols in the visa process, and prioritise the livelihoods of Americans,” he added as quoted by IANS.

Wage-based allocation plan

Several other Republican lawmakers, including Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar and Andy Ogles, supported the Bill.

"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 Gill.

Also Read: US lawmaker introduces Bill to end H-1B visa programme

The proposed Bill sketches out a far more restrictive framework for the H-1B programme, recasting how visas are allocated and who qualifies.

It seeks to lower the annual cap from 65,000 to 25,000 while scrapping existing exemptions, and would replace the current lottery with a wage-based system anchored by a $200,000 minimum salary threshold.

Stricter hiring conditions for companies

Companies looking to hire through the programme would face tighter conditions. They would need to attest that no qualified American worker is available for the role and confirm that no recent layoffs have taken place.

Also Read: H-1B visa imbroglio persists as US consulates defer interview dates to 2027

The draft also moves to prevent H-1B visa holders from taking on multiple jobs and would block third-party staffing firms from employing them altogether.

Other provisions go further. Dependents would no longer be allowed to accompany visa holders, the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme would be wound down, and pathways to permanent residency through the visa would be closed off.

Criticism from backers of the Bill

"The H-1B programme has been hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour, plain and simple. This bill slams the brakes on a system that's rigged against our own people and puts American jobs first again," Gosar said.

Also Read: US firms face 'anti-Indian racism' as Trump tightens work visa rules: Report

"American workers are being replaced, and cheap foreign labor is the cause. 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,” said Ogles.

The legislation also aims to reinforce the temporary nature of non-immigrant visas, requiring holders to leave the US before shifting to another status and barring federal agencies from acting as sponsors.

Support and ongoing debate

Rosemary Jenks, cofounder of the Immigration Accountability Project, described it as "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 labour gaps while Americans are trained to take those jobs. This bill makes that a reality," she said, citing provisions such as reducing caps, raising wage thresholds and ending third-party employment.

What is the H-1B visa programme

The H-1B programme allows American firms to recruit foreign professionals for specialised roles, particularly across technology and engineering. Indian nationals have consistently formed the largest share of recipients, making up a significant portion of the high-skilled workforce in the country.

Also Read: India raises H-1B visa appointment delays with US, says families facing hardships

Debate around the programme has persisted in Washington for years. Critics say it depresses wages and displaces domestic workers, while industry groups argue it addresses skill shortages and underpins innovation in key sectors.