US lawmakers introduce bill to eliminate H-1B visa program by 2027 — What is the EXILE Act?

A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill to the U.S. Congress that would end the H-1B visa program in 2027. The proposed law is called the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, or the Exile Act. It was introduced in the House by Florida Rep. Greg Staub. If passed, it would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to lower the annual H-1B visa cap to zero starting in fiscal year 2027.The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialized positions that require technical expertise or advanced degrees. It is commonly used by companies in industries such as technology, engineering, healthcare and scientific research, which include large numbers of Indian and Chinese workers. Democrats and progressives say it can help businesses fill talent shortages and stay competitive, while the Make America Great Again America First base believes it is used to replace American workers with lower-wage foreign labor.Staub said the visa system hurts American workers. “Putting foreign workers over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values ​​and national interests,” he said in a statement. He claimed that the H-1B program in particular leaves young professionals “displaced and disenfranchised.” “We cannot preserve the American Dream for our children while giving their share to non-citizens,” he added.

What is the EXILE Act?

According to the text of the bill, the proposed changes would target Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which sets the H-1B visa cap. Under the EXILE Act, once the cap is lifted, employers will no longer be able to petition for H-1B workers.Steube’s office also released data showing that more than 80% of H-1B visas were issued to Indian and Chinese nationals, with the majority of beneficiaries working in information technology and related fields.The proposal comes as immigration policy remains a key issue in Washington. In recent years, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made changes to how H-1B visas are processed, including measures to prioritize high-wage and high-skilled applicants and stricter vetting measures by the State Department. This is possible during the second term of US President Donald Trump, further strengthening the stance on the visa program. The bill still needs to pass committee review and be approved by the House and Senate before becoming law.Staub is not the only politician keen to end the H1-B program. Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a loyal Trump ally, has also called for the visa system to be abolished. Meanwhile, business figures including former DOGE leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy defended the H1-B visa, saying it brings the best talent from around the world into the world’s largest economy.