A controversial proposal by Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to introduce a bill banning H-1B visas has ignited a fierce national debate in the United States. The plan has been sharply criticized by a leading immigration expert, who labeled it as a dangerous move that could severely harm Americans and the economy.
What Does The Proposed Bill Entail?
Congresswoman Greene took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on a Friday to reiterate her intentions. Her proposed legislation aims to ban H-1B visas across all sectors, with a single exception for the medical profession. In a video announcement made the previous day, she detailed that the bill would drastically reduce the annual H-1B cap from the current level of 85,000 visas to a mere 10,000, reserved exclusively for medical professionals.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the pathway to citizenship for H-1B visa holders. This would effectively force thousands of skilled workers to return to their home countries once their temporary visas expire. Greene suggested that these reductions could be phased out gradually over the next ten years.
Expert Warns of Severe Consequences for the US
In an interview with IANS, Sarah Pierce, the Director of Social Policy at the think tank Third Way, issued a strong warning. She argued that Greene's attempt to eliminate the entire visa programme is both dishonest and dangerous.
Pierce specifically highlighted the catastrophic impact on the healthcare sector. She stressed that the proposed cap of 10,000 visas for medical professionals is insufficient and would slash the flow of foreign workers that many American communities, especially in rural areas, rely on. This could gut access to healthcare overnight, leading to fewer doctors, longer wait times for patients, and ultimately, more preventable deaths.
She described the bill as cruelty disguised as policy. Beyond healthcare, Pierce emphasized that eliminating the H-1B programme or burdening it with punitive fees would kneecap the American economy and jeopardize other critical sectors that depend on high-skilled talent.
Divided Opinions and Shifting Stances
The proposal has exposed divisions within the Republican party. Notably, former President Donald Trump recently defended the need for the H-1B visa programme. In a Tuesday interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham, when asked if his administration would deprioritize these visas, Trump argued that the US needs to bring in talent. He countered Ingraham's assertion that America has plenty of talent by stating, No you don't.
This stance marks a shift from just two months prior, when the Trump administration slapped a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, a move that stunned employers and workers alike. Meanwhile, the White House clarified that while it is committed to cracking down on alleged abuses within the visa system, it is not planning to scrap the entire programme. Acting on this, the US Department of Labor launched at least 175 investigations last week into potential H-1B visa abuses.
Pierce concluded that instead of scapegoating the programme, the US Congress should focus on meaningful reform to ensure it delivers for American workers and families, acknowledging the country's need for more doctors and skilled tech talent.
