On Monday, February 10, 2026, U.S. Representative Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida’s 17th congressional district, introduced a new bill that’s already sending ripples through the American workforce and the global tech community. The Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act—aptly nicknamed the EXILE Act—aims to bring the controversial H-1B visa program to a complete halt by fiscal year 2027. If passed, it would mark one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. immigration and labor policy in recent decades.
Steube’s proposal, as reported by Business Standard and The Economic Times, takes direct aim at Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the legal backbone of the H-1B program. This visa, for decades, has allowed U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields—think technology, engineering, and medicine—when there’s a shortage of qualified American workers. But Steube isn’t mincing words. On X (formerly Twitter), he declared, “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.”
His office’s press release echoed the sentiment: “Prioritizing foreign labor over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests.” Steube positions the EXILE Act as a way to “put Americans first and restore fairness to our immigration and labor laws.”
According to Bhaskar English, the bill’s legislative text is clear and uncompromising: starting in fiscal year 2027, the number of H-1B visas issued would drop to zero—and stay there. There’s no gradual phase-out, no sunset clause. The intent is to end the program outright.
Why such a drastic move? Steube and his supporters argue that the H-1B program, while originally designed to fill talent gaps, has evolved into a vehicle for large corporations to cut costs by replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor. The bill’s backers point to a string of examples across several industries. In 2015, as highlighted in the press release and reported by The Economic Times, Disney laid off 250 employees and replaced them with workers brought in under the H-1B program. In 2014, Southern California Edison fired 540 workers, filling their roles with staff from two Indian outsourcing firms using H-1B visas.
Perhaps the most eye-catching claims concern the tech and logistics giants. The EXILE Act’s sponsors cite that more than 16,000 Microsoft employees were displaced following approval of over 9,000 H-1B visas in 2025. Meanwhile, FedEx’s use of the program allegedly led to the closure of more than 100 facilities across the United States. The healthcare sector hasn’t been spared either: the bill claims that by facilitating the arrival of over 5,000 foreign-born doctors, the program prevented more than 10,000 U.S.-trained physicians from accessing residency programs.
Steube’s rhetoric is pointed: “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. 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.”
Demographics are a major part of the conversation. Government data cited in the proposal shows more than 80 percent of H-1B visas are issued to nationals from India and China, with employers often favoring younger workers. Bhaskar English further notes that Indian professionals, especially in IT, are the largest beneficiaries—receiving over 70 percent of all H-1B visas. If the EXILE Act becomes law, the impact on Indian tech talent and U.S. companies that rely on it could be profound.
Yet, the bill’s journey is just beginning. As Bhaskar English explains, after introduction in the House of Representatives, the EXILE Act will be referred to the relevant committee, which may hold hearings and debate the proposal. Only if it clears the committee will it proceed to the House floor for a vote, and then on to the Senate. The process could take weeks or months—and the outcome is far from certain.
The timing of this legislative push is no coincidence. The U.S. government has already been tightening the screws on skilled immigration. Since September 21, 2025, the H-1B application fee was hiked to a whopping $100,000—a one-time payment due at the time of application, according to Bhaskar English. For comparison, previous fees ranged between ₹5.5 lakh and ₹6.7 lakh for a three-year period. That’s a steep climb, and it’s left many prospective applicants reeling.
There’s more. As of December 15, 2025, the U.S. State Department began enhanced screening and vetting of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. This includes reviewing social media profiles—a move that’s led to widespread delays and postponements of visa interviews in India. Many applicants have found themselves stranded, unable to return to the U.S. as they await processing. The Economic Times reports that these measures have created confusion and anxiety among Indian professionals, who form the backbone of America’s tech workforce.
The politics of the moment can’t be ignored. The EXILE Act comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, including his 2025 proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. Trump’s administration was known for its tough stance on both legal and illegal migration, and the current wave of scrutiny reflects that legacy. Social media, too, has seen a surge in anti-H-1B sentiment, with pro-MAGA voices amplifying calls to end the program.
But the debate isn’t one-sided. For decades, the H-1B program has been defended by business leaders and economists who argue it’s essential for keeping U.S. companies competitive in a fast-changing global economy. The visa was designed to help firms fill skill gaps, particularly in technology and engineering, where domestic talent sometimes falls short. Supporters say it fuels innovation, growth, and even job creation for Americans. Critics, however, point to stories of layoffs and wage suppression, arguing that the system is ripe for abuse.
Even the international perspective is shifting. According to Business Standard, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently remarked that the H-1B program has lost much of its relevance post-pandemic, saying, “Global businesses no longer depend on moving large numbers of Indian engineers to the United States.” He added, “I have not heard any company, absolutely any company, come to me and ask me to talk to the US or try to negotiate for more H-1B visas. The world has changed today.”
As the EXILE Act begins its legislative journey, the stakes are high for American workers, U.S. businesses, and thousands of foreign professionals who have built their lives around the promise of opportunity in America. The coming months will reveal whether Congress is ready to slam the door on a program that’s become both a symbol of American innovation—and, for some, a lightning rod for economic anxiety. For now, all eyes are on Capitol Hill.