A new immigration proposal on Capitol Hill is reopening a long-running fight over high-skilled visas.
Representative Eli Crane on Wednesday introduced a bill that would pause new H-1B visas for three years. Several House Republicans are backing the measure, framing it as a reset that would give Congress time to overhaul the program from the ground up.
Supporters argue the current system is broken and needs a full rebuild before more visas are issued. But critics say hitting pause could disrupt industries that depend on global talent, from tech firms to universities, and create uncertainty for foreign workers already in the pipeline.
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The proposal sets up a familiar divide in Washington, with immigration policy once again colliding with economic demands for skilled labor.
The legislation would rewrite parts of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, setting up a sweeping reset of the H-1B system.
Under the proposal, no new H-1B visas would be issued during the three-year pause. Existing visa holders would be required to wind down their stay and leave the United States over that period, effectively shrinking the program before any restart.
When the program resumes, it would look much smaller and more restrictive. The current annual cap of 65,000 visas would be slashed to 25,000, and exemptions that allow certain employers and applicants to bypass the cap would be eliminated.
The bill would also tighten how long H-1B workers can stay and what they can do while in the United States.
Right now, many workers can extend their visas for up to six or even nine years in some cases. Under the proposal, that would be cut to a single three-year term with no extensions. Applicants would also have to show they still have a home abroad and plan to return after their visa ends, instead of using the program as a path to stay in the U.S. long term.
Employers would face stricter rules as well. Companies would need to prove they could not find a qualified American worker for the role and confirm that hiring a foreign worker would not hurt US employees. They would also have to certify they have not laid off workers in the past year and will not do so in the year ahead.
Pay is another major change. The bill would require employers to pay H-1B workers at least $200,000 a year. It would also bar visa holders from working for more than one employer and block staffing firms and third-party contractors from using the program altogether.
The proposal goes further by writing parts of a policy tied to Donald Trump into law. A September 2025 proclamation that introduced a $100,000 fee for each H-1B hire would become permanent if the bill passes.
Family and flexibility rules would also change. Many temporary visa holders would no longer be able to bring family members to the United States. That would apply not just to H-1B workers but also to those on H-2A and H-2B visas. The bill would also stop visa holders from switching to another status while staying in the country, requiring them to leave the U.S. before applying again.
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Supporters say this would close loopholes that allow people to move between visa categories. The measure also targets international students by ending Optional Practical Training, or OPT, which lets graduates work in the U.S. after finishing school. It would also eliminate H-4 work permits that currently allow some spouses of H-1B workers to take jobs.
Several House Republicans are backing the bill, including Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Paul Gosar, Wesley Hunt, Tom McClintock, Keith Self, and Andy Ogles.