A new US immigration proposal titled the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 has been introduced in Congress by Arizona Republican Representative Eli Crane, amid renewed debate over skilled migration during the second Trump administration.
Co-sponsored by Republican lawmakers Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, Wesley Hunt, Tom McClintock, Keith Self and Andy Ogles, the bill proposes a sweeping overhaul of the H-1B visa programme widely used by global professionals.
Key proposals include a three-year pause on issuing new H-1B visas, reducing the annual cap from 65,000 to 25,000, replacing the current lottery with a wage-based selection system and imposing a minimum salary requirement of $200,000.
Supporters say the reforms would protect American jobs and address alleged misuse by companies, while critics and immigration experts warn the changes could severely restrict global talent mobility and affect industries especially technology that rely heavily on skilled migrants, many of whom come from India. As of now, the bill remains a proposal in the US House of Representatives and existing H-1B rules remain unchanged.
H-1B System Overhaul Proposed
According to the draft legislation introduced on April 22, 2026, the bill seeks to pause the issuance of new H-1B visas for three years while policymakers review and restructure the programme. When it resumes, the scheme would operate under far stricter rules.
The proposed reforms include slashing the annual visa cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and eliminating existing exemptions, which currently allow certain institutions and employers to bypass the cap. The bill also suggests replacing the existing random lottery system with a wage-based selection model, prioritising applicants offered higher salaries.
Another major proposal is to set a minimum annual wage of $200,000 for H-1B workers, a move supporters argue would ensure companies hire foreign professionals only for truly specialised roles rather than for lower-cost labour.
The legislation also includes a series of stricter compliance measures for employers. Companies sponsoring foreign workers would be required to certify that they could not find a qualified American worker for the job and confirm they have not recently laid off US employees in similar roles. The bill proposes banning third-party staffing agencies from employing H-1B workers and restricting visa holders from taking multiple jobs.
Additionally, it seeks to prohibit federal agencies from hiring or sponsoring non-immigrant workers. Rep Eli Crane defended the proposal by saying the federal government should work “for hardworking citizens, not the profit margins of massive corporations,” arguing that the existing system allows companies to sideline qualified Americans.
Restrictions Affect Families, Students, Immigration
Beyond employment regulations, the proposed legislation also introduces measures that could significantly reshape the broader immigration pathway linked to the H-1B programme.
Among its most controversial provisions is a proposal to prevent H-1B visa holders from bringing dependents to the United States and to terminate related programmes such as the H-4 visa category, which currently allows spouses and children to accompany workers and, in some cases, obtain work authorisation.
The bill also calls for ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students studying in the US to gain work experience after graduation.
Another key provision would reinforce the temporary nature of the visa by preventing H-1B holders from transitioning to permanent residency in the United States. It would also require non-immigrant workers to leave the country before switching to another visa category, effectively tightening pathways that many professionals currently use to extend their stay or pursue long-term careers in the US.
Supporters argue these changes are necessary to ensure that temporary work visas do not become indirect routes to permanent immigration. Critics, however, say such restrictions could discourage global talent from considering the US as a destination for education and employment.
Immigration Debate Intensifies Over Reforms
The proposed bill is part of a broader push by some Republican lawmakers to overhaul the US immigration system during President Donald Trump’s second term. It joins other legislative proposals such as the EXILE and PAUSE bills that similarly seek to tighten immigration rules and reduce reliance on foreign labour.
Proponents claim the H-1B programme has been misused by companies to replace American workers with cheaper foreign employees. Rep Paul Gosar argued that the programme has been “hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour,” while Rep Brandon Gill said the proposed reforms aim to ensure the immigration system “serves American workers first before foreigners.”
Immigration policy expert Rosemary Jenks, who helped draft the bill, also argued that restricting extensions could make it more expensive for companies to rely on overseas labour. According to her, if workers are required to return home after a limited period, employers would need to repeatedly recruit and train new workers, potentially encouraging them to hire American candidates instead. However, critics believe such changes could disrupt industries such as technology, healthcare and engineering that depend on highly skilled foreign professionals.
The debate has also drawn attention because of the potential impact on Indian professionals and students. Indians account for a large share of H-1B visa holders and represent one of the largest international student groups in the United States. Experts say that if enacted, the bill could significantly affect thousands of professionals working in American companies as well as students planning to pursue careers in the US.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Immigration policy is rarely a simple question of borders and jobs it is deeply intertwined with human aspirations, economic realities and the exchange of ideas across nations. While governments must address genuine concerns about labour rights and fair hiring practices for domestic workers, broad restrictions on skilled migration risk overlooking the immense contributions that international professionals bring to innovation, research and economic growth.
At the same time, concerns about corporate misuse of immigration programmes deserve careful scrutiny. Policies should focus on preventing exploitation and ensuring fair wages rather than closing doors entirely to global talent. Striking this balance requires dialogue, transparency and thoughtful reform that recognises both the rights of local workers and the aspirations of migrants seeking opportunity.
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