Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jun 6: A Republican lawmaker has introduced draft legislation in the US Congress seeking sweeping changes to the H-1B visa programme, including ending its use as a pathway to permanent residency in the United States.
The proposed legislation, titled the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act, was introduced by Chip Roy on Thursday. The bill also seeks to abolish the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows foreign students to work in the US for a limited period after completing their studies.
Arguing that the current system disadvantages American workers, Roy said the H-1B programme has been misused for decades.
“For its nearly forty-year history, the H-1B visa has been abused, allowing employers to routinely sideline American STEM workers in favour of cheap foreign labour, while masking layoffs and wage suppression as shortages. It's time to end this lottery-based pipeline and replace it with a system that prioritises merit, enforces real wage standards and puts American white-collar workers first,” he said.
The bill has received support from organisations including US Tech Workers, the Immigration Accountability Project and the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
If enacted, the legislation would reverse the long-standing “dual intent” provision that allows H-1B visa holders to pursue permanent residency while working in the US. Applicants would instead be required to demonstrate that they maintain a residence abroad and do not intend to abandon it.
The proposal would also repeal provisions that permit H-1B holders to extend their visa status while awaiting green card processing.
Among the most significant changes, the bill seeks to reduce the maximum duration of an H-1B visa from six years to two years. It also proposes replacing the current lottery-based allocation system with one that prioritises applicants receiving higher salary offers.
The legislation comes amid broader efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to tighten legal immigration programmes, including stricter scrutiny of visa applications and measures aimed at favouring higher-paid H-1B workers.
Kevin Lynn welcomed the proposal, stating that it would address several aspects of the H-1B programme that, in his view, have enabled companies and institutions to replace American workers with lower-cost foreign labour.
The bill is co-sponsored by Eli Crane, who said the reforms would help protect future generations of American workers.
“Congress should be doing everything in our power to prioritise our own citizens rather than facilitating their displacement,” Crane said.
The legislation faces the standard congressional process and would require approval from both chambers of Congress before becoming law. Observers note that any changes to the H-1B programme could have significant implications for foreign professionals, including thousands of Indian workers employed in the US technology sector.