US Congressman Greg Steube Proposes Legislation to Abolish H-1B Visa Program
Republican Congressman Greg Steube, representing Florida's 17th Congressional District, has introduced groundbreaking legislation aimed at completely eliminating the H-1B visa program. On February 9, Steube unveiled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act, a bill designed to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to terminate the H-1B category permanently.
What the EXILE Act Entails
The H-1B visa currently permits US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, including technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance. According to Steube's office, the EXILE Act would amend Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reduce the number of H-1B visas to zero starting in fiscal year 2027 and for all subsequent years. If enacted, this would mean US employers could no longer submit new H-1B petitions once the cap is eliminated, with the proposal calling for an immediate and complete termination rather than a gradual phase-out.
In a statement, Congressman Steube argued that prioritizing foreign labor over American workers undermines national interests and economic opportunities for US citizens. He emphasized, "Our workers and young people continue to be displaced and disenfranchised by the H-1B visa program that awards corporations and foreign competitors at the expense of our workforce. We cannot preserve the American dream for our children while forfeiting their share to non-citizens. That is why I am introducing the EXILE Act to put working Americans first again."
Concerns Cited by Supporters of the Bill
Steube's office highlighted that over 80% of H-1B visa recipients are Indian or Chinese nationals, with employers often favoring younger workers. The bill references several examples purportedly demonstrating how the H-1B program has disadvantaged American workers, including:
- More than 10,000 US physicians being unable to access residency programs while over 5,000 foreign-born doctors entered under visa provisions.
- Over 16,000 employees at Microsoft were displaced following the approval of more than 9,000 H-1B visas in 2025.
- FedEx's use of H-1B visas resulted in the closure of more than 100 US facilities.
- Disney laid off 250 employees in 2015 and replaced them with foreign workers through the program.
- Southern California Edison terminated 540 workers in 2014 and replaced them with workers employed by outsourcing firms using H-1B visas.
These instances have been cited by supporters of stricter immigration controls as evidence of domestic job displacement. However, critics have historically argued that the H-1B program is intended to fill specialized skill shortages, with companies required to meet regulatory wage and qualification standards.
Potential Impact on Indian Nationals
For Indian professionals, the H-1B visa has long served as a primary pathway to working and living in the United States, with Indian nationals consistently forming the largest share of recipients, especially in the technology sector. If the EXILE Act becomes law, this option would be effectively closed off from FY2027 onwards. While US companies might explore alternative visa options, prospective applicants from countries like India would face significantly reduced opportunities to work in the USA.
Currently, the bill has been introduced but must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law to take effect. The H-1B program remains active under existing legislation. This proposal adds to the ongoing debate in the United States over skilled immigration, labor markets, and the balance between protecting the domestic workforce and recruiting global talent.
