The H-1B visa program has long been a contentious issue in the United States, with significant debate over its impact on the labor market and U.S. workers. Recently, two major developments have reignited the discussion: one proposing to scrap the program entirely, while another seeks to refine it in the name of better protecting American jobs. The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized fields, but critics argue that it has been exploited in ways that harm U.S. workers.
The U.S. labor market has been under pressure in recent years, and the H-1B program has come under scrutiny as a contributing factor. While supporters argue that the visa program helps fill critical labor shortages in sectors like technology and healthcare, critics contend that it undermines wages and displaces American workers. The U.S. government has already taken steps to reform the program, but now, more radical proposals have emerged, calling for its complete abolition.
Calls to End the H-1B Visa Program
One of the most significant proposals comes from Representative Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, who recently introduced the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act. According to Steube, the H-1B visa program prioritizes foreign labor at the expense of U.S. workers, arguing that it contributes to the displacement of American employees, particularly in fields such as technology and engineering. In a press release, Steube stated that the program “undermines our values and national interests” by allowing foreign workers to take jobs that could otherwise go to American citizens, including young professionals.
Steube is not alone in his stance. Other Republican lawmakers, including Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for significant changes or a total ban on the program. According to reports, Greene has proposed legislation to eliminate the program entirely, while Van Duyne has advocated for a complete overhaul. This sentiment is echoed by several state governors, such as Greg Abbott of Texas, who has frozen new H-1B petitions at public universities in the state. As the 2026 legislative session continues, the EXILE Act stands as a bold proposal to end the H-1B program altogether.
Changes to the H-1B Visa Selection Process
On the other side of the debate, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced new reforms aimed at reshaping how H-1B visas are allocated, focusing on protecting American workers from potential exploitation. According to the DHS, the existing random lottery selection process has been exploited by employers seeking to bring in foreign workers at lower wages, often undercutting American employees. As a result, the DHS is implementing a new rule that prioritizes higher-skilled, higher-paid workers for H-1B visas.
This shift comes as part of a broader effort to refine the program while still allowing employers to hire foreign talent when needed. According to a statement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the new weighted selection process will give priority to applicants with higher qualifications, making it less likely for lower-wage, lower-skilled workers to fill U.S. jobs. This move, which will take effect in February 2026, is designed to align with the original purpose of the H-1B program: to bring skilled labor to sectors facing shortages while protecting U.S. workers’ wages and job opportunities.
