US Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Eliminate H-1B Visa Program
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced legislation to completely phase out the H-1B visa program, a move that could significantly impact skilled foreign workers—particularly Indian nationals who make up the majority of visa holders.
Key Takeaways
- Bill seeks to aggressively phase out the H-1B visa program
- Indian nationals constitute nearly 75% of H-1B visa holders
- Follows recent Trump administration fee hike from $2,000 to $100,000
- Expected to face strong opposition from business and tech groups
“Put Americans First” Approach
Announcing the proposal, Greene stated the legislation would “eliminate” the H-1B system and “put Americans first” across technology, healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing sectors. She alleged that Big Tech companies, AI firms, hospitals and other industries had “abused” the program to replace American workers.
“I am introducing a Bill to end the mass replacement of American workers by aggressively phasing out the H-1B (programme). If we want the next generation to have the American dream, we must stop replacing them and start investing in them,” she said.
Recent Immigration Crackdown
The proposal follows last month’s major immigration policy shift where President Donald Trump increased H-1B visa fees from approximately $2,000 to $100,000 annually. The administration labeled H-1B “abuse” a “national security threat,” linking it to fraud, money laundering and organized crime by outsourcing firms.
Impact on Indian Professionals
With Indians accounting for nearly 75% of all H-1B visa holders, these developments have raised significant concerns among skilled workers and employers. The massive fee hike is expected to deter many companies from sponsoring foreign professionals, potentially reshaping hiring patterns in US technology and research sectors.
Political Battle Ahead
Greene’s bill is expected to trigger contentious debate in Washington, with business groups, tech companies and immigrant advocacy organizations likely to mount strong opposition. Combined with the administration’s broader push to tighten skilled immigration pathways, this represents a continued hardening of the US government’s stance that could have far-reaching implications for and companies dependent on the H-1B pipeline.
