US Lawmaker Pushes to End H-1B Visa Program by 2027: The EXILE Act Explained

Discover the proposed US legislation seeking to eliminate the H-1B visa program by 2027. Learn about the EXILE Act, its implications for foreign workers, and the reasons behind this push.

Introducing the EXILE Act

A significant legislative proposal has emerged from the US House of Representatives, spearheaded by Republican lawmaker Greg Steube. This bill, officially

named the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act, outlines a clear intention to completely discontinue the H-1B visa program. The proposed timeline for this termination is set for the year 2027. Steube has formally introduced this legislation, which seeks to amend the foundational Immigration and Nationality Act, thereby dismantling the existing framework for the H-1B visa. This move comes at a time when both H-1B and its dependent H-4 visa applications are under increased scrutiny within the United States, indicating a broader trend of re-evaluating these immigration pathways.

Motivations Behind the Bill

Representative Greg Steube has articulated a strong rationale for introducing the EXILE Act, emphasizing concerns about the impact on American workers. He expressed his view that the H-1B visa program has been exploited for a considerable period, leading to detrimental effects on the domestic workforce. According to Steube, corporations have frequently leveraged this visa system to reduce labor costs by hiring foreign professionals at lower wages. This practice, he argues, has directly contributed to wage stagnation for American citizens and has limited opportunities for them to secure well-paying jobs. The core argument of the EXILE Act, as presented by Steube's office, is that prioritizing foreign labor over the welfare and economic advancement of American citizens is fundamentally at odds with national values and interests.

Mechanics of the Proposal

The EXILE Act intends to achieve its objective by making specific amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, particularly targeting Section 214(g)(1)(A). This section is crucial as it governs the allocation and cap for H-1B visas. By amending this part of the law, the bill aims to render the H-1B program inoperable and effectively abolish it. This legislative approach echoes previous attempts by other lawmakers; for instance, former Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had previously introduced a bill with a similar objective, termed the 'End H-1B Now Act.' While Greene's proposal also sought to terminate the H-1B program, it included a limited exemption for 10,000 medical professionals over a decade. Steube's current bill, however, does not appear to contain such specific exemptions, aiming for a broader cessation of the program.

Impact on Indian Professionals

The potential ramifications of the EXILE Act are expected to be most acutely felt by professionals hailing from India. Official statistics indicate that Indian nationals are the predominant recipients of H-1B visas, accounting for over 70% of all awarded visas. These professionals are primarily concentrated in high-demand sectors, notably information technology and broader technology fields. If this bill were to be enacted into law, it could directly impact a substantial number of Indian tech workers who are currently employed or seeking long-term career opportunities and residency in the United States through the H-1B visa pathway. This underscores the significant cross-border implications of such a legislative change.