Washington, Feb 10 (NationPress) A Republican lawmaker has put forth a proposal to abolish the H-1B visa program, claiming it puts American workers at a disadvantage and favors foreign labor over US citizens.

US Representative Greg Steube revealed the introduction of the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, commonly referred to as the EXILE Act.

This legislation aims to modify the Immigration and Nationality Act by terminating the H-1B visa program, which permits US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations.

“Placing foreign labor above the welfare and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests,” Steube stated.

“Our workforce and youth are continuously being displaced and disenfranchised by the H-1B visa program that benefits corporations and foreign competitors at the detriment of our local labor force,” he added.

“We cannot ensure the American dream for our children while sacrificing their opportunities to non-citizens,” Steube emphasized. “This is why I am advocating for the EXILE Act to prioritize working Americans once more.”

According to Steube's office, the EXILE Act would revise Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, leading to the complete cessation of the H-1B program. The provided data indicates that over 80% of H-1B visa holders are from India or China, often favoring younger applicants.

The announcement presented various instances illustrating how the H-1B program has harmed American workers in recent years.

It highlighted that the H-1B visa program has obstructed more than 10,000 US physicians from accessing residency programs by facilitating the entry of over 5,000 foreign-trained doctors.

Furthermore, more than 16,000 Microsoft employees were reportedly displaced due to the issuance of over 9,000 H-1B visas in 2025.

In the logistics sector, the announcement noted that FedEx's utilization of the H-1B program led to the closure of more than 100 facilities nationwide.

Additionally, the entertainment industry was mentioned. The announcement revealed that Disney laid off 250 employees in 2015, replacing them with foreign workers imported through the H-1B visa program.

Another example from the energy sector indicated that in 2014, Southern California Edison terminated 540 employees, with their replacements sourced from two Indian outsourcing firms via the H-1B program.

The legislative text of the EXILE Act specifies that it would reduce the number of H-1B visas to zero starting in fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year, effectively terminating the program.

The H-1B visa program was established under US law to enable employers to recruit foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering, medicine, and finance.

Over the years, it has evolved into a significant route for skilled foreign professionals, particularly from India and China, to gain employment in the United States, while also remaining a topic of ongoing political discourse regarding jobs, wages, and immigration policy.