Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
A U.S. congresswoman has unveiled a bill intending to dismantle the H-1B visa program altogether, aimed at erasing the pathway to U.S. citizenship for foreign workers in specialized occupations. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced this legislation on Thursday, targeting a program vital for skilled professionals, especially from India.
The H-1B visa initiative enables U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specific roles and provides a route to permanent residency through the Green Card process. Recently, over 70% of approved H-1B applications were attributed to Indian professionals, mainly in STEM fields, who have seized opportunities in technology, healthcare, and other in-demand sectors.
According to Greene, her proposed bill aims to terminate the H-1B visa program, allowing a limited exception of 10,000 visas yearly for clinical professionals, including doctors and nurses who play a crucial role in American healthcare delivery. This cap will be gradually eliminated over ten years as part of a strategy to bolster the number of domestically trained medical professionals.
To facilitate this shift, the legislation would bar non-citizen medical students from entering residency programs funded by Medicare. Greene pointed out that in 2023, over 5,000 foreign doctors obtained residency positions, whereas more than 9,000 U.S.-trained doctors were left without placements. “This is fundamentally unjust and represents an America last approach,” she commented, underscoring that this bill is aimed at prioritizing American medical talent.
Additionally, the lawmaker indicated that H-1B visa holders must return to their countries upon visa expiration, thereby eliminating the possibility of U.S. citizenship. Greene presented the bill as a means to restore the original purpose of the H-1B program as a temporary fix for workforce shortages.
The previous Trump administration had implemented changes to address potential abuses within the H-1B program. In September 2025, Trump mandated specific H-1B applicants to pay an additional $100,000 fee to qualify, indicating ongoing concerns regarding program misuse.
Nevertheless, Trump recently recognized the necessity for foreign talent in sectors where U.S. workers may lack specialized skills. “It's essential to recruit talent,” he noted, acknowledging that roles in fields like defense and technology often necessitate expertise that cannot be quickly developed domestically.
Should Greene's proposal advance, it could have notable repercussions for Indian professionals and other foreign workers relying on the H-1B visa for career progression and long-term prospects within the U.S. This legislation highlights the rising debate in Washington about immigration, workforce growth, and striking a balance between protecting domestic careers and attracting international talent.
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