A Republican lawmaker has proposed a bill to terminate the H-1B visa program, arguing that it disadvantages American workers by favoring foreign labor. US Representative Greg Steube unveiled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, also known as the EXILE Act, to discontinue the H-1B visa initiative. Steube emphasized that prioritizing foreign labor over American citizens undermines national interests and values.
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to halt the H-1B visa program, which permits US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles. According to Steube, the current system displaces American workers and hampers their prosperity. He highlighted that the EXILE Act is intended to prioritize the well-being and future opportunities of American workers.
Steube’s office disclosed that the EXILE Act seeks to eliminate the H-1B program entirely by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill addresses concerns that a significant majority of H-1B visa recipients are individuals from India or China, with a tendency to favor younger workers. The legislation underscores instances where the H-1B program has negatively impacted American workers in various sectors.
The proposed measure sets the H-1B visa quota at zero starting from fiscal year 2027, effectively terminating the program annually thereafter. The H-1B visa initiative was established to enable US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields like technology, engineering, and finance. Over the years, it has become a significant pathway for skilled foreign workers, particularly from India and China, to seek employment in the United States.
