International 06 Jun, 2026

Bill in US Congress seeks to end H-1B visa as route to green card

Business To Business, New York, 6^th June, 2026:    A Republican congressman has introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives that would significantly tighten rules governing the H-1B visa programme and certain post-study work opportunities for foreign students.
Proposed legislation
Chip Roy introduced the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act on Thursday.
The draft bill proposes several major changes, including:

• Ending the use of the H-1B visa as a pathway to permanent residency (green cards).
• Restricting or overhauling the H-1B programme.
• Eliminating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows many international students to work in the United States after graduation.

Roy's argument
In support of the bill, Roy argued that the H-1B system has been misused by employers.
He stated that:
"For its nearly forty-year history, the H-1B visa has been abused..."
Roy contended that some employers use the programme to hire lower-cost foreign workers instead of American STEM professionals, leading to concerns about wage suppression and job displacement.
Potential impact
If enacted, the legislation could have significant implications for:

• Foreign professionals working on H-1B visas.
• International students studying in the United States.
• Technology, engineering, healthcare, and research sectors that rely heavily on skilled immigrant workers.

Indian nationals would be particularly affected because they constitute the largest group of H-1B visa holders in the US and make extensive use of the OPT programme after graduating from American universities.
Legislative outlook
At this stage, the proposal is only a draft bill introduced by a member of Congress.
For it to become law, it would need to:

1. Pass the House of Representatives.
2. Pass the Senate.
3. Be signed by Donald Trump.

Many immigration-related bills introduced in Congress do not ultimately become law, and proposals often undergo substantial revisions during the legislative process.
Why it matters
The H-1B programme has long been at the center of debate in the United States. Supporters argue that it helps American companies recruit highly skilled talent in areas such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and healthcare. Critics argue that the programme can be used to undercut domestic workers and wages.
The introduction of the bill signals that employment-based immigration remains a prominent issue in US political debates, particularly as policymakers discuss labor shortages, technological competitiveness, and immigration reform.