Washington, D.C., USA:  A U.S. lawmaker has launched an initiative to completely dismantle the H-1B visa program, a long-standing employment pathway widely used by skilled workers, particularly from India. Under the current system, H-1B holders can eventually qualify for U.S. citizenship, but the proposed changes aim to end that route. If implemented, foreign workers would be required to leave the United States immediately once their visa validity ends.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated in a post on GreenX that the H-1B program has faced consistent misuse for years and that it disadvantages American workers. She announced her intention to introduce legislation to terminate the program entirely. As an alternative, she is proposing a cap of 10,000 visas annually for doctors and nurses working in essential healthcare sectors.

According to her proposal, even this limited provision would be phased out after a decade. Greene emphasized that the government should prioritize American citizens for careers in healthcare instead of depending on foreign professionals. She added that individuals entering the country on specialized work visas must return home once their authorized stay ends and should not receive opportunities to settle permanently.

Greene also urged the removal of benefits provided under the existing Medicare program for international medical students. She highlighted that in 2023 alone, more than 5,000 foreign-born physicians secured positions in the United States. In 2024, she noted that over 9,000 U.S. medical students sought opportunities abroad. “This is deeply unfair to American professionals,” she stated.

Currently, Congress allows the issuance of 65,000 standard H-1B visas each year, along with an additional 20,000 visas for applicants holding advanced degrees. Many private companies use this program to recruit global talent. Indian professionals—particularly in IT and healthcare—have been among the primary beneficiaries of the H-1B system. However, since coming into office, former President Donald Trump imposed strict rules on the program, including a requirement for qualified applicants to pay a $100,000 fee.