A Republican Congressman from Texas, Chip Roy, has introduced the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act of 2026, aiming to overhaul the US H-1B visa program. The proposed legislation seeks to replace the current lottery system with a wage-based selection process and mandates that employers prioritize hiring American workers before resorting to hiring foreign professionals. Additionally, the bill would eliminate the use of H-1B visas for obtaining permanent residency and end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
Roy emphasized the need to reform the H-1B visa system, citing past abuses that have disadvantaged American STEM workers. The bill requires employers to confirm the unavailability of qualified American workers for a position before hiring foreign professionals. It also advocates for job advertisements within the US and offering positions to equally or better qualified American candidates before considering foreign hires.
The proposed legislation maintains the annual cap of 65,000 H-1B visas but introduces changes to prioritize higher-salaried positions over the current lottery distribution system. Furthermore, it shortens the duration of H-1B status to two calendar years from the current six years and limits the number of admissions from any single country to seven percent of the annual allocation. Representative Eli Crane of Arizona has also introduced related legislation, suggesting a temporary pause on H-1B visa issuances followed by broader reforms.
Various immigration-restriction groups have expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the need to address the perceived flaws in the H-1B visa program. They believe the proposed changes would transform the program into a platform for truly skilled guest workers and protect American workers from displacement by cheaper foreign labor.
