The EXILE Act, introduced by Congressman Greg Steube, seeks to eliminate the H-1B visa program, citing concerns over its impact on American workers and labor markets.
U.S. Representative Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, has introduced the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, commonly referred to as the EXILE Act. This legislation aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by terminating the H-1B visa program.
Steube, who has represented Florida’s 17th congressional district since 2019, announced the introduction of the bill on social media platform X. He stated, “Today I’m filing legislation to end the H-1B visa program.”
In his remarks, Steube expressed strong criticism of the H-1B program, claiming it has been detrimental to American workers. He stated, “American workers have been ripped off by the corrupt H-1B visa program for far too long. Corporations have repeatedly abused this system to help their bottom line by importing cheaper foreign labor, which has suppressed wages and left millions of Americans locked out of good-paying jobs.”
Steube emphasized that the EXILE Act is intended to prioritize American workers and restore fairness to immigration and labor laws. According to a press release from his office, the Act addresses the concern that “prioritizing foreign labor over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests.”
If enacted, the EXILE Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the H-1B visa program, which currently allows U.S. companies to employ foreign professionals in specialized roles. Steube’s office indicated that the legislation specifically targets Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the law.
The proposal cites government data indicating that over 80 percent of H-1B visas are issued to nationals from India and China, with employers often favoring younger workers under the existing framework. Steube’s press release further argues that the H-1B visa program has displaced American workers and hindered opportunities for young people in the workforce.
“Our workers and young people continue to be displaced and disenfranchised by the H-1B visa program that awards corporations and foreign competitors at the expense of our workforce,” the release states. “We cannot preserve the American dream for our children while forfeiting their share to non-citizens. That is why I am introducing the EXILE Act to put working Americans first again.”
The EXILE Act contends that the H-1B visa program has repeatedly worked against American workers. It cites specific examples, such as limiting access to medical residency slots for U.S.-trained physicians while allowing foreign-born doctors to enter the system. The legislation claims that it “prevented more than 10,000 U.S. physicians from accessing residency programs by facilitating the arrival of more than 5,000 foreign-born doctors.”
Another example highlighted involves Microsoft, where the approval of over 9,000 H-1B visas in 2025 allegedly led to the displacement of more than 16,000 employees. The bill also references FedEx, claiming that the company’s use of the H-1B program resulted in the closure of more than 100 facilities across the United States.
The entertainment industry is not exempt from scrutiny, as the release notes that Disney laid off 250 employees in 2015, only to replace them with foreign workers brought in via the H-1B visa. Additionally, it mentions that Southern California Edison laid off 540 workers in 2014, with their replacements sourced from two Indian outsourcing firms utilizing the H-1B visa program.
According to the legislative language of the EXILE Act, the number of H-1B visas would be reduced to zero starting in fiscal year 2027, with the same cap applied in subsequent years. This provision would effectively end the program rather than phasing it out gradually.
The H-1B visa is a U.S. work visa that allows American companies to hire foreign professionals for jobs requiring specialized skills. Initially designed to help U.S. businesses fill skill gaps and remain competitive, particularly in fast-moving industries like technology, the program has become increasingly controversial. Critics argue that it can be exploited to cut costs or replace American workers, while supporters contend that it fuels innovation and economic growth.
Opposition to the H-1B visa program has gained traction on social media, with pro-MAGA voices becoming increasingly vocal in their criticism.
As the EXILE Act moves forward, it will undoubtedly spark further debate about the future of the H-1B visa program and its implications for the U.S. labor market.
According to The American Bazaar, the introduction of the EXILE Act marks a significant shift in the ongoing conversation surrounding immigration and labor laws in the United States.