US Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Abolish H-1B Visa Programme, Citing Harm to American Workers

A US Republican lawmaker introduced legislation to abolish the H-1B visa programme, the main route American companies use to hire highly skilled foreign professionals. Greg Steube, who has represented Florida’s 17th Congressional District since 2019, announced the Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions (EXILE) Act, saying the visa system has been weaponised against American workers. “Today I am filing legislation to end the H-1B visa programme," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “American workers have been ripped off by the corrupt H-1B visa program for far too long." Greg Steube accused corporations of importing cheaper foreign labour to boost profits while suppressing wages and displacing US employees. The bill would amend Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, reducing the number of H-1B visas to zero starting in 2027. Cases Against H-1B Programme The US Congressman’s office cited several instances where the visa scheme allegedly harmed American workers. It claimed more than 10,000 US physicians were blocked from residency programmes while over 5,000 foreign-born doctors were brought in through H-1B pathways. The release also pointed to mass layoffs at Microsoft and Disney, as well as job losses in the energy sector, linking them to the use of H-1B workers. Not The First Attempt To End H-1B Programme The move follows similar efforts by Republican leaders in recent years. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene had earlier proposed the End H-1B Now Act, which sought to shut down the programme while allowing limited exemptions for medical professionals. The bill is expected to face significant scrutiny as it moves through the legislative process. Recent Changes In H-1B The H-1B visa allows US employers to recruit foreign workers in specialised fields, particularly in technology, healthcare and engineering. Recent changes have already reshaped the programme, with the US government tightening rules and raising costs for employers. The traditional random lottery system is set to be replaced by a wage-weighted selection process that prioritises higher-paid applicants, with candidates offered Level IV wages receiving the highest selection odds and entry-level applicants facing significantly lower chances. In addition, a $100,000 fee for certain new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, has been introduced.