Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 9: A Democratic lawmaker has introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives seeking to overturn a proclamation by Donald Trump that imposed strict wage rules and high fees on employers hiring workers under the H-1B visa program.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced the proposed bill, titled the Welcoming International Success Act, which aims to nullify the September 2025 proclamation requiring rigid wage thresholds and a $100,000 fee for employers sponsoring H-1B workers.
Watson Coleman said the policy had created significant obstacles for American employers and institutions that depend on skilled foreign professionals. “Trump’s shortsighted proclamation has created significant barriers for US employers, universities, hospitals and research institutions that rely on highly skilled professionals,” she said. She added that the H-1B programme connects domestic talent with global expertise and plays a key role in supporting economic growth in the United States.
The H-1B visa allows US companies and organisations to hire foreign professionals in specialised sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare and education, particularly in areas facing skill shortages. Supporters of the new bill argue that stricter wage requirements and high employer fees have made it more difficult for organisations to recruit talent essential for innovation and critical services.
Watson Coleman also warned that the restrictions could worsen labour shortages in the healthcare sector. She said factors such as an ageing workforce, burnout after the pandemic, visa restrictions and limits on federal student loans for nursing degrees could contribute to a severe shortage of nurses in the coming years. According to her, the proposed legislation would help ease these pressures as demand for qualified healthcare professionals continues to grow.
The bill has been backed by several Democratic lawmakers, including Yvette D. Clarke, Lois Frankel, Seth Moulton and Hank Johnson.
The H-1B programme remains a key pathway for skilled immigration to the US, widely used by technology firms, research institutions, universities and hospitals. Professionals from India form the largest share of H-1B visa holders, particularly in the technology sector, making developments related to the programme closely followed in India and among the Indian diaspora in the United States.