Washington, Nov 15 (NationPress) Shortly after US President Donald Trump voiced his support for the H-1B visa program, a faction of Republican and conservative leaders have raised their voices against it, demanding its elimination. Nonetheless, distinguished researchers and legal experts contend that such a crackdown could negatively impact the US economy and its broader interests.

On Friday, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene took to X, reiterating her intention to propose legislation aimed at “banning H-1B visas across all sectors” with the exception of the medical field.

“Abolishing H-1B visas will also benefit the housing market. Eliminating H-1B visas translates to more job opportunities for Americans and increased availability of homes…When Americans secure well-paying jobs, they can purchase homes without competing against foreign labor brought in through visas and wealthy asset management firms,” she stated.

In a video posted on Thursday, Greene detailed her bill proposals, which would allow only 10,000 visas annually, a significant reduction from the current cap of 85,000.

She emphasized that even this limited allocation could be phased out within the next decade. Her proposed legislation would also eliminate the pathway to citizenship, requiring visa holders to return to their home countries.

“These visas were originally intended to address specific occupational needs at a certain time. Individuals should not have the right to permanently reside here. We appreciate their expertise but wish them well as they return to their own nations,” she stated in her video.

Another Republican representative, Andy Ogles, also tweeted on Friday, “Ending H-1Bs is a straightforward decision. Let’s make it happen.”

These developments follow President Trump’s defense of the program, emphasizing its necessity for attracting talent.

During an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday, when asked if his administration intended to deprioritize H-1B visas, Trump stated, “We must bring in talent.”

When Ingraham countered with, “We have ample talent,” Trump replied, “No, you don’t.”

“Certain skills are still in shortage….You cannot simply take individuals off unemployment and place them into factories. We need to produce missiles,” he added.

Ingraham also shared her views on X on Friday, responding to a CNN discussion regarding the issue.

“America’s future relies on a continuous influx of foreign workers—allegedly all geniuses?” she questioned.

The White House clarified on Wednesday that it intends to target alleged abuses within the visa system rather than abolishing the entire program.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made this clarification via a post on X, stating that the administration is focused on “reforming the immigration system.”

“In record time, President Trump has accomplished more than any modern president to tighten immigration laws and prioritize American workers,” Rogers remarked.

“The $100,000 fee mandated for new H-1B visa applications marks a substantial first step to curb abuses within the system and ensure that American workers are not replaced by lower-paid foreign labor.”

Trump issued a proclamation in September, instituting a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications.

In the previous week, the US Department of Labor (DOL) initiated at least 175 investigations into potential abuses within the H-1B visa program.

However, prominent researchers and lawyers have dismissed the concerns surrounding H-1Bs as exaggerated and misleading.

A recent study conducted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, indicated that H-1B visa holders contribute significantly to GDP, with an average H-1B visa holder increasing it by $500,000 after 30 years, while decreasing the debt by $2.3 million.

Daniel Martino, the report’s author and Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, labeled South Asian immigrants, particularly Indians, as the “most fiscally beneficial group.”

He predicts that terminating the H-1B visa program could inflate the US debt by $185 billion over the next decade while contracting the economy by $26 billion.

The report also disclosed that “Indian immigrants represent the most economically advantageous immigrant group” in the United States, contributing to GDP growth and reducing national debt.

In 2024, India-born workers accounted for over 70 percent of all approved H-1B visas, largely due to a significant backlog in approvals and a high volume of skilled immigrants from India.

Anna K. Gorisch, founder of Kendall Immigration Law, criticized the opposition to the H-1B visa program as “peak stupidity.”

“It is rigorously regulated and far from 'endless.' The attacks on LEGAL immigrants are entirely unwarranted and contradict the foundational promise of America. The GOP is likely to lose seats in the 2026 elections,” she asserted on X on Friday.