The new GOP bill seeks to halt the H-1B visa program for 3 years and end H-1B dependents coming to the United States.
A new bill has now been added to the list of bills like EXILE and PAUSE, which seeks to overhaul the H-1B visa program at the heart of the Trump administration 2.0 immigration controversy.
Arizona Republican Rep. Eli Crane has introduced the Ending H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 in Congress. Bill sponsors are Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, Wesley Hunt, Tom McClintock, Keith Self, and Andy Ogles.“The federal government should work for hard-working citizens, not for the profit margins of huge corporations. We owe it to the American people to prevent the broken H-1B system from keeping them away from the jobs they are qualified to do,” said Rep. Crane, explaining that the Ending H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 will provide greater access to employment, strengthen protocols in the visa process, and prioritize Americans’ livelihoods.
“I am honored to introduce this legislation, and I am grateful to those who have raised awareness about this flawed process,” said Rep. Crane.
What are the proposals included in the new draft law?
- Reducing the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and eliminating current exemptions.
- Replace the lottery system with a wage-based selection system.
- Require employers to certify that they cannot find a qualified American worker and have not laid off workers.
- Choose the H-1B minimum wage of $200,000 per year.
- Prevent H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs and prevent outside employment agencies from hiring them.
- Prohibit H-1B workers from bringing dependents to the United States.
- Prohibit federal agencies from sponsoring or employing nonimmigrant workers.
- Completion of optional practical training.
- Ensure nonimmigrant visas remain temporary by preventing H-1B holders from adjusting status to permanent residency.
- Requiring nonimmigrants to leave the United States before changing to another nonimmigrant status.
Immigration policy expert Rosemary Jenks, who helped draft the bill, said that if H-1Bs are not extended and they are sent home after three years, companies will have to bring in new H-1Bs and train them — which will make the overall process more expensive and then the companies will start hiring Americans.
“I am proud to sponsor Rep. Eli Crane’s efforts to reform and tighten our H-1B visa system, ensuring that our immigration system serves American workers first before foreigners,” said Rep. Brandon Gill, who is married to Indian-born Danielle D’Souza.
