NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, February 11, 2026: A Republican member of Congress has introduced legislation that would eliminate the widely used H-1B visa program, reopening debate over high-skilled immigration and its impact on American workers and U.S. competitiveness.
Rep. Greg Steube, a Florida Republican, has proposed the Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions Act, known as the EXILE Act. The bill would set the annual cap on new H-1B visas to zero beginning in fiscal year 2027, effectively ending the program for future applicants.
The legislation has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives and would need to move through committee review, pass both the House and Senate, and be signed by the president before becoming law. Immigration measures of this scale historically face significant political debate.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge, including roles in technology, engineering, healthcare, finance, and research. The program has long been used by major corporations, universities, and hospitals to recruit global talent.
Supporters of the EXILE Act argue that the H-1B system disadvantages American workers by allowing companies to hire foreign professionals instead of raising wages or investing in domestic talent. Rep. Steube has framed the proposal as a measure designed to protect U.S. jobs and prioritize American workers.
The proposal comes amid broader Republican-led efforts to restrict employment-based immigration. Lawmakers including Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Texas and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia have previously supported measures aimed at tightening or abolishing the H-1B system. Separate proposals, such as the PAUSE Act, have sought to freeze large categories of immigration and limit adjustment-of-status pathways for temporary visa holders.
Indian nationals account for the largest share of H-1B recipients each year, making the program particularly significant for the Indian American community and for U.S.-educated international students seeking employment after graduation. For many families, the visa has served as a primary pathway to long-term residency and eventual citizenship.
Business groups and many economists argue that the program helps address talent shortages in critical industries and supports innovation and economic growth. Critics counter that reforms — rather than full elimination — would better address concerns about wage protections and program misuse.
At present, the EXILE Act remains a proposal. Whether it advances beyond introduction will depend on congressional negotiations and the broader political climate surrounding immigration policy in the 2026 legislative session.
Cover photo credit : Meet Greg – Congressman Steube.
