Republican Lawmakers Introduce 'End H-1B Visa Abuse Act' Proposing Unprecedented Three-Year Program Freeze and Sweeping Reforms

What the Bill Proposes#

The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act goes far beyond a temporary pause. Introduced with seven Republican co-sponsors — Reps. Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, Wesley Hunt, Tom McClintock, Keith Self, and Andy Ogles — the bill would fundamentally reshape the H-1B program if enacted.

The bill proposes reducing the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and eliminating existing exemptions. The current lottery system would be replaced by a wage-based selection model, and employers would be required to certify that they could not find a qualified American worker and had not conducted recent layoffs. A minimum H-1B wage of $200,000 per year would be mandated. The bill also bars H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs, prohibits third-party staffing agencies from employing them, and disallows H-1B workers from bringing dependents to the United States.

Additionally, the bill would end Optional Practical Training for international students, restrict H-1B dependents from accompanying workers, prohibit federal agencies from sponsoring nonimmigrant workers, and block H-1B holders from adjusting to permanent residency.

Visas would be limited to a single three-year term , and the bill requires non-immigrant workers to leave the United States before changing to another visa category.

Lawmakers filed the bill as an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

Sponsors Frame the Bill as Pro-Worker#

Rep. Crane framed the legislation squarely as a measure to protect American workers. "The federal government should work for hardworking citizens, not the profit margins of massive corporations. We owe it to the American people to prevent the broken H-1B system from boxing them out of jobs they are qualified to perform," Crane said in a statement.

Rep. Paul Gosar alleged that the H-1B program has been "hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor — plain and simple." Rosemary Jenks, co-founder of the Immigration Accountability Project, praised the bill, stating that "H-1B visas were sold to the American people as a short-term visa to fill temporary labor gaps while Americans are trained to take those jobs. This bill makes that a reality."

Practical Impact on Current and Prospective Visa Holders#

For the hundreds of thousands of foreign professionals currently in the United States on H-1B visas — and for those planning to apply — the bill's provisions would be far-reaching if enacted.

By mandating a minimum annual salary of $200,000, the bill effectively prices out most entry-level and mid-level IT roles. Critics argue this would cripple startups, healthcare facilities, and universities that rely on skilled talent but cannot meet such a high salary threshold.

The bill prohibits H-1B holders from adjusting their status to permanent residency while in the U.S. Workers would be required to leave the country immediately after their single three-year term expires, ending the traditional "H-1B to Green Card" pipeline.

The elimination of OPT would also have significant consequences for international students. International students graduating from U.S. universities would no longer have the 12 to 36-month window to work and gain experience before applying for a work visa.

The H-4 ban compounds the impact further. Tens of thousands of spouses currently in the US on H-4 visas — many of them with their own professional qualifications — would lose their legal status and work authorization entirely. For families who have built dual-income lives in the US, this is not a visa technicality.

Indian professionals dominate the program by a significant margin, accounting for more than 70 percent of approved H-1B petitions since 2015. Around 283,397 Indian nationals currently hold H-1B visas, compared to approximately 46,680 from China. Any reduction or freeze would disproportionately affect these populations.

Industry Opposition and Criticism#

The bill has drawn sharp criticism from immigration attorneys, industry leaders, and business groups. It faces opposition from major U.S. tech employers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The proposed freeze and stricter rules could significantly disrupt sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering, which rely heavily on H-1B workers to fill specialized roles. Critics warn the changes could limit access to global talent, slow innovation, and exacerbate labor shortages, particularly in industries already struggling to recruit domestically.

Immigration experts have been particularly vocal. As one law firm noted, "This bill doesn't surgically fix abuse; it punishes the entire system — including doctors, engineers, and researchers that the U.S. economy depends on."

Part of a Broader Legislative Push#

The Crane bill is the latest in a rapidly growing roster of Republican proposals targeting the H-1B program. In February 2026, Rep. Greg Steube introduced the EXILE Act to eliminate the H-1B category starting in fiscal year 2027, while earlier proposals such as Rep. Chip Roy's PAUSE Act would freeze most legal immigration and end programs like OPT.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced the End H-1B Now Act in January 2026, which seeks full elimination of the visa category, with an exemption for medical professionals.

These legislative efforts build on administrative actions already taken. Even before these bills arrived, Donald Trump had already moved to raise the cost of hiring foreign workers. In September 2025, he introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications filed from outside the United States.

H-1B approvals for Indians have already dropped 37% in FY2026 compared to FY2024 , reflecting the cumulative impact of recent policy changes.

The Department of Labor has also launched "Project Firewall," an initiative focused on holding employers accountable for H-1B program violations.

Legislative Outlook#

Despite its sweep, the bill faces an uncertain path to enactment. It has not passed committee, has no Senate companion bill, and faces significant opposition from the U.S. tech industry.

None of the recent bills targeting H-1B visas had progressed beyond introduction as of April 2026. That includes Crane's bill, Steube's EXILE Act, Greene's End H-1B Now Act, and Roy's PAUSE Act. That legislative record leaves Crane's proposal in a familiar place: filed, publicized and politically clear, but far from enactment. Congress has seen a run of H-1B restriction bills in the past year, yet lawmakers have not advanced any of them.

The Trump administration has itself sent mixed signals: it has tightened H-1B enforcement and raised fees, but has also signaled support for retaining high-skilled talent, particularly from India.

What This Means for You#

For current H-1B holders: Existing H-1B rules remain in place unless and until legislation is enacted. However, the escalating pattern of restrictions — both legislative and administrative — warrants close attention to developments and proactive consultation with immigration counsel.

For prospective applicants and international students: While OPT and the H-1B pathway remain available today, the legislative trend underscores the importance of contingency planning and understanding alternative visa categories.

For employers: Companies relying on H-1B talent should monitor this bill alongside other pending proposals and the Department of Labor's "Project Firewall" enforcement initiative. Even if the Crane bill does not advance, its individual provisions may resurface in future legislation or executive actions.

The fight over H-1B visas now turns on whether Congress wants to preserve the category with tougher guardrails or dismantle much of it outright. Either way, the trajectory is clear: the H-1B program as it has existed for over three decades is under the most sustained pressure in its history. Stakeholders at every level should remain informed and prepared.

ClinchLaw will continue to monitor this legislation as it progresses through the congressional process. If you have questions about how these proposed changes may affect your immigration status or hiring plans, contact our attorneys today.