Chandigarh, April 28: A significant shift in U.S. immigration policy is under debate following the introduction of a bill designed to curb the H-1B visa program. The “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026” proposes a suite of restrictive measures, including a ban on new visas for a period of three years and the total elimination of the OPT work program for international students.
The legislation aims to restructure the economic requirements for foreign labor by mandating a $200,000 minimum annual salary for H-1B applicants. Proponents of the bill stated that the current system allows for the exploitation of the labor market. A spokesperson for the legislative group affirmed that the goal is to ensure that American workers are not undercut by international hiring practices. They declared that the era of utilizing the visa program for “cheap foreign workers” must come to an end.
Beyond the numerical caps and salary floors, the bill seeks to bar H-1B holders from bringing spouses or children to the United States. It also proposes ending the route to permanent residency for these workers. Observers maintained that such changes would create significant hurdles for Indian students and professionals who have historically formed the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries.
The proposal is consistent with a platform of tightening borders and prioritizing local employment. However, analysts noted that the total removal of the OPT program would likely see a decline in international student enrollment at American universities. While the bill’s supporters asserted that the move is a historic step toward labor reform, industry groups maintained that it could stifle innovation by limiting access to specialized talent. The bill is now set for a series of discussions in Congress where it faces a polarized reception.
