US Lawmaker Introduces EXILE Act to Eliminate H-1B Visa Program

Republican Representative Greg Steube of Florida has introduced legislation seeking to permanently abolish the H-1B visa program that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations.

The Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions (EXILE) Act would reduce H-1B visas to zero starting fiscal year 2027, effectively terminating the program. Steube argues corporations have abused the system to import cheaper foreign labor, citing cases like Microsoft approving 9,000 H-1B visas while laying off 16,000 employees, and Disney replacing 250 American workers with H-1B holders in 2015.

"Prioritizing foreign labor over American citizens undermines our values and national interests," Steube stated. The proposal follows President Trump's recent imposition of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications.

What This Means for Indians

The impact would be severe for Indian professionals, who constitute over 80% of H-1B visa recipients according to government data. Approximately 442,000 H-1B visas were issued in 2023 alone, with Indian nationals representing the overwhelming majority. If passed, the legislation would eliminate pathways for Indian tech workers, engineers, and specialists seeking employment in America, fundamentally reshaping US-India skilled migration patterns.