A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US Congress that seeks to end the H-1B visa programme by 2027.
The proposed legislation, titled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions Act (EXILE Act), was introduced in the House of Representatives by Florida Congressman Greg Steube. If passed, the bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reduce the annual H-1B visa cap to zero starting in fiscal year 2027.
The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised roles requiring technical expertise or advanced degrees. It is widely used in sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare, and scientific research, with a large number of beneficiaries from India and China.
Supporters, including Democrats and progressives, argue that the programme helps companies address talent shortages and remain globally competitive. However, members of the “America First” movement claim it enables firms to replace US workers with lower-paid foreign labour.
Steube said the visa system has harmed American workers. “Prioritising foreign labour over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests,” he said. He added that young professionals have been “displaced and disenfranchised” by the programme.
What is the EXILE Act?
According to the bill’s text, the proposal targets Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which governs the H-1B visa cap. Once the cap is eliminated, employers would no longer be permitted to file new petitions for H-1B workers.
Data cited by Steube’s office indicates that over 80% of H-1B visas are issued to nationals of India and China, with most recipients employed in information technology and related fields.
The proposal comes amid continued debate over immigration policy in Washington. In recent years, US Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised H-1B processing rules, introducing stricter reviews and prioritising higher-paid and higher-skilled applicants. These changes were reinforced during the second term of President Donald Trump, which saw a tougher stance on work visas.
Before becoming law, the bill must clear committee scrutiny and secure approval from both the House and the Senate.
Steube is not alone in calling for an end to the programme. Former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has also urged the abolition of the H-1B system.
In contrast, business leaders such as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have defended the visa programme, arguing that it helps attract top global talent to the US economy.
