US lawmaker introduces EXILE Act to end H-1B visas: What it proposes and why it matters to Indians

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US Rep. Greg Steube has introduced the EXILE Act to abolish the H-1B visa program, citing its misuse by corporations to replace American workers. The move impacts Indian professionals, who form the largest H-1B group, and reflects rising political hostility to the program.

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A Republican lawmaker in the United States has introduced legislation seeking to abolish the H-1B visa program, arguing that it has been systematically misused by corporations to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour.

US Representative Greg Steube of Florida has tabled the Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions Act, or the EXILE Act, which proposes amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the H-1B visa category entirely.

Announcing the bill, Steube said the visa system had repeatedly disadvantaged American workers. “Prioritising foreign labour over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests,” he said in a statement.

“Our workers and young people continue to be displaced and disenfranchised by the H-1B visa program that awards corporations and foreign competitors at the expense of our workforce. We cannot preserve the American dream for our children while forfeiting their share to non-citizens. That is why I am introducing the EXILE Act to put working Americans first again,” Steube added.

Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown

The move comes amid a wider tightening of US immigration policy under President Donald Trump, who has pursued a hard line on both legal and illegal migration.

Last year, Trump described abuse of the H-1B program as a national security concern and signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. The decision triggered widespread anxiety among foreign professionals, particularly those from India, who form the largest group of H-1B holders.

According to official data cited in Steube’s statement, more than 80 percent of H-1B recipients are Indian or Chinese nationals, with a preference for younger workers.

Alleged impact on American jobs

The statement accompanying the EXILE Act lists several cases to support claims that the visa program has harmed American workers.

It said the program has blocked more than 10,000 US physicians from accessing residency programmes while facilitating the arrival of more than 5,000 foreign-born doctors. It also claimed that over 16,000 Microsoft employees were displaced following the approval of more than 9,000 H-1B visas in 2025.

Steube’s office further alleged that FedEx’s use of H-1B visas led to the closure of more than 100 facilities across the United States. The statement also cited earlier examples, including Disney laying off 250 employees in 2015 before replacing them with foreign workers, and Southern California Edison firing 540 workers in 2014, whose roles were reportedly filled by staff from two Indian outsourcing firms using the H-1B route.

What this means for Indians

The proposed legislation and the broader policy shift have significant implications for Indian professionals, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders.

From December 15 last year, the US State Department began enhanced screening and vetting of H-1B and dependent H-4 visas. This includes checks of applicants’ social media profiles as part of the visa review process.

As a result, several H-1B visa interviews scheduled across India have been postponed by months. Many visa holders who travelled to India for visa stamping have been left stranded, unable to return to the US as planned.

While the EXILE Act faces a difficult legislative path, immigration experts say its introduction reflects growing political hostility toward the H-1B program. For Indian professionals and students planning careers in the US, the bill adds to existing uncertainty around visa processing, costs and long-term job security.