A group of Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban the issuance of H-1B visas for three years and make major changes to this program. They argue that this program has caused harm to American workers. The proposed 'End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026' introduced by Eli Crane proposes to restructure the visa system and implement more stringent rules before restarting it.
Crane said that the central government should work for hardworking citizens, not for the profits of big companies. We have a responsibility to the American people to stop this broken H-1B system from locking them out of jobs for which they are perfectly qualified.
Crane said that this bill will provide more employment opportunities. Will strengthen the rules of the visa process and give priority to the livelihood of Americans. The legislation has received support from several Republican lawmakers, including Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar and Andy Ogles.
Gill said that I am proud to be a co-sponsor of Congressman Eli Crane's efforts to reform and tighten our H-1B visa system. He said this will ensure that our immigration system protects the interests of American workers before foreigners. This bill proposes major changes. It will reduce the annual H-1B limit from 65,000 to 25,000 and eliminate all exemptions. It would replace the lottery system with a salary-based selection process and set salaries at a minimum of $200,000 annually.
Employers must certify that they are unable to find any qualified U.S. workers and must also confirm that they have not laid off employees. The bill would also prevent H-1B workers from holding more than one job and would prohibit them from being hired by third-party staffing agencies. Other provisions include a ban on H-1B workers bringing their dependents with them, ending the 'Optional Practical Training' (OPT) program and barring visa holders from obtaining permanent citizenship.
Gosar said that the H-1B program is being misused to replace American workers with cheap foreign workers, this is the simple and clear truth. This bill puts a stop to a system that is against our own people and once again prioritizes American jobs.
