US Republican Congressman Greg Steube has moved to end the H-1B visa programme by introducing a new bill in the US House of Representatives, arguing that the system harms American workers and benefits corporations that rely on foreign labour.
US Republican lawmaker Greg Steube has introduced legislation aimed at eliminating the H-1B visa programme, a key pathway that allows American companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals. The bill, titled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions (EXILE) Act, seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to scrap the programme entirely.
Steube, who has represented Florida’s 17th congressional district since 2019, announced the move on X, saying he had filed legislation to shut down the H-1B system. He argued that the programme has been misused by corporations to import cheaper foreign labour, suppress wages and reduce job opportunities for US workers.
“American workers have been ripped off by the corrupt H-1B visa programme for far too long,” Steube wrote, accusing companies of prioritising profits over domestic employment.
Follows earlier Republican push
The proposal echoes earlier efforts by fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had introduced the End H-1B Now Act before resigning from Congress. Greene’s bill sought to end the programme while allowing a limited, temporary exemption for a small number of medical professionals.
What the EXILE Act proposes
According to a press release from Steube’s office, the EXILE Act aims to address concerns that prioritising foreign labour undermines the economic well-being of US citizens and national interests. The legislation would amend Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, effectively abolishing the H-1B visa.
If passed, the bill would reduce the number of H-1B visas to zero from 2027 onward, bringing the programme to an end.
Claims of worker displacement
Steube cited several examples to support his case, alleging that the programme has been used to displace American workers. He claimed the H-1B system has prevented more than 10,000 US physicians from accessing residency programmes while allowing over 5,000 foreign-born doctors to enter. His office also pointed to layoffs at major companies, alleging that more than 16,000 Microsoft employees were displaced following the approval of over 9,000 H-1B visas in 2025.
The press release further cited earlier cases, including layoffs at Disney in 2015 and at Southern California Edison in 2014, where foreign workers were reportedly hired through the H-1B programme.
Industry warns of economic impact
The proposal comes despite repeated warnings from industry leaders and analysts about the importance of H-1B professionals to the US economy. A recent Forbes report noted that major technology companies rely heavily on H-1B workers for artificial intelligence development. The visa is also used to address shortages of specialised teachers and to staff rural hospitals that struggle to attract trained medical professionals.
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