Washington, Nov. 15 —
Republican leaders are now calling for a major overhaul of the H‑1B immigration program, even after President Donald Trump defended the visa system earlier this week. If the program were drastically cut or eliminated, experts warn, the U.S. economy could suffer.
### GOP push to slash H‑1B visas
House Republican Marjorie Taylor‑Greene announced a new bill on X that would limit H‑1B visas to only 10,000 a year—down from the current 85,000 cap. She says the change would free up U.S. jobs and help the housing market, arguing that “when Americans get good jobs, they can buy homes without competing with legally imported labor.” Greene also plans to delete the path to citizenship for visa holders and expects the program’s medical carve‑out to be phased out over the next decade.
House Representative Andy Ogles echoed the sentiment on X, calling a complete end to H‑1Bs “a no‑brainer” and urging Congress to act quickly.
### Trump supports the program
In a Fox News interview on Tuesday, President Trump said the U.S. still needs to bring in talent. “You do have to bring in talent,” he said. When asked whether the country already had enough skilled workers, Trump replied, “No you don’t.” Trump has also signed a proclamation that imposes a $100,000 fee on new H‑1B applications to curb abuse.
The White House clarified on Wednesday that it is not looking to scrap the whole program, only to tighten controls. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a statement on the Daily Wire, saying the administration is committed to “reforming the immigration system” and notes the new fee as a “significant first step” to prevent low‑pay foreign labor from replacing American workers.
### Lawmakers, researchers weigh in
The U.S. Department of Labor opened at least 175 investigations last week into potential abuses of the H‑1B visa system. Yet many researchers and immigration attorneys argue that the program actually benefits the U.S.
A recent Manhattan Institute study found that H‑1B workers can increase GDP by an average of $500,000 over 30 years and help reduce the national debt by $2.3 million. Senior Fellow Daniel Martino calls Indians the “most fiscally positive group” and warns that ending the program could raise the U.S. debt by $185 billion in ten years while shrinking the economy by $26 billion.
Indian workers currently receive more than 70% of all 2024 H‑1B approvals, driven by a backlog and a high number of skilled applicants from India.
### Legal experts oppose the crackdown
Anna K. Gorisch, founder of Kendall Immigration Law, called the movement against H‑1B visas “peak stupidity.” She argued that the program is tightly controlled and that “the attacks on legal immigrants are wholly unjustified.” Gorisch warned that the Republican Party risks losing seats in the 2026 midterms if it pushes the program too hard.
### Bottom line
The debate over H‑1B visas highlights a clash between those who want to protect American jobs and housing, and those who see the program as a key driver of U.S. economic growth. As Congress considers new legislation, experts say the ripple effects will be felt far beyond immigration policy, touching the job market, housing, and the nation’s overall economic health.
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