Republican Lawmaker Calls for Complete Ban on H-1B Work Visas

A new call from within the Republican Party has reignited controversy over the future of the H-1B temporary work visa program, after a Republican congresswoman from Texas urged a complete ban on the program, arguing that it has harmed American workers and exploited loopholes in the U.S. immigration system, according to Newsweek.

In media remarks, the lawmaker said the H-1B program should be halted immediately or completely redesigned, stressing that its continued operation in its current form is no longer acceptable. She argued that policymakers have, for years, approved immigration programs without adequately studying what she described as their “unintended consequences,” which she said have negatively affected the domestic labor market.

What Is the H-1B Program?

Established in 1990, the H-1B visa program is one of the primary pathways allowing U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering, finance, and medicine. The program enables employers to sponsor foreign professionals for fixed periods when qualified American workers are unavailable.

Although President Donald Trump has repeatedly defended the program as a tool to address skills shortages, his administration significantly tightened restrictions by increasing scrutiny and imposing steep fees on new applications. One such fee—a $100,000 charge—sparked legal challenges from several states and major corporations.

Economic Impact and Industry Dependence

Recent estimates show that approximately 730,000 H-1B visa holders were living in the United States at the start of 2025, with the majority employed by major technology firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, as well as in professional and financial services sectors.

Data from pro-immigration organizations indicates that H-1B workers contribute around $86 billion annually to the U.S. economy and pay nearly $35 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.

Republican Opposition and Broader Immigration Debate

Critics of the program within the Republican Party argue that the H-1B system gives large corporations an unfair advantage, suppresses domestic wages, and displaces American workers—particularly in the technology sector.

The push to abolish the H-1B visa is part of a broader effort by some conservatives to overhaul the U.S. immigration system, including calls to repeal the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which ended the national-origin quota system.

An Uncertain Future

These divisions highlight a deeper political rift between those who view skilled immigration as a driver of economic growth and innovation, and those who see it as a direct threat to American workers.

As the Trump administration continues tightening enforcement and reducing approvals in practice, the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain—caught between mounting political pressure and economic warnings that a full ban could damage U.S. innovation and the labor market.