A group of Republican lawmakers from US President Donald Trump’s party has introduced a bill seeking a three-year suspension of the H-1B visa program.
The proposed law, titled the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, was introduced by Congressman Eli Crane and backed by seven other Republicans.
If approved, the bill would slash the annual H-1B visa cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and impose a new minimum salary requirement of $200,000 for foreign workers. It also seeks to replace the current lottery-based selection system with a wage-based model.
The legislation includes several other tough conditions. It would stop H-1B visa holders from bringing dependents to the United States, end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign graduates, and block federal agencies from hiring nonimmigrant workers.
Employers would also be required to prove that no qualified American worker is available before they can hire foreign talent.
Supporters of the bill say the H-1B system has been misused and should be restructured to protect American workers. Eli Crane said the government should serve American citizens rather than large corporations using the visa route to fill jobs.
If passed, the bill could deal a major blow to foreign professionals, especially graduates and skilled workers who rely on the H-1B pathway for jobs and long-term settlement in the US.
Still, the proposal is at an early stage and may face resistance in Congress. Similar attempts to impose major restrictions on the H-1B program have previously drawn criticism from business groups and immigration advocates.
The latest push also comes amid broader pressure on US work visa policy, including a separate proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications.
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