H-1B pause for 3 years, end H-4: New Republican bill introduced by Rep. Crane seeks major overhaul of visa program
The new Republican bill seeks to suspend the H-1B visa program for three years and stop H-1B dependents from coming to the United States.
Now, a new bill has been added to the list of EXILE, PAUSE and other bills seeking major reforms to the H-1B visa program that is at the center of the Trump 2.0 administration’s immigration controversy. Arizona Republican Rep. Eli Crane introduced the Ending H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 in Congress. Co-sponsors of the bill include Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, Wesley Hunter, Tom McClintock, Keith Self and Andy Ogles.“The federal government should serve hard-working citizens, not the profit margins of large corporations. We have a responsibility to serve the American people and prevent the broken H-1B system from excluding them from jobs for which they are qualified,” said Rep. Crane, explaining that the Ending H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 will provide more jobs, strengthen protocols in the visa process, and prioritize American livelihoods. “I am honored to introduce this legislation and I am grateful to those who are raising awareness about this flawed process,” said Rep. Crane.
What are the proposals in the new bill?
- Reduce the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and eliminate existing exemptions.
- Replace the lottery system with a salary-based selection system.
- Requires employers to prove they cannot find qualified U.S. workers and are not conducting layoffs.
- Choose the H-1B minimum wage of $200,000 per year.
- Prohibits H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs and prohibits third-party staffing agencies from hiring them.
- H-1B workers are prohibited from bringing their family members to the United States.
- Federal agencies are prohibited from sponsoring or employing nonimmigrant workers.
- End of optional practical training.
- Prohibits H-1B holders from adjusting status to permanent residence and ensures that non-immigrant visas remain temporary.
- Requires nonimmigrants to leave the United States before changing to another nonimmigrant status.
Rosemary Jenks, an immigration policy expert who helped draft the bill, said that if H-1B visas were not extended after three years and sent home, companies would have to bring in new H-1B workers and train them — making the entire process more expensive — and then the companies would start hiring Americans.“I am proud to co-sponsor Rep. Eli Crane’s effort to reform and tighten our H-1B visa system, ensuring that our immigration system works for American workers first and foreigners second,” said Rep. Brandon Gill, who is married to Indian-American Danielle D’Souza.
