Rep. Steube Proposes EXILE Act to End H-1B Visa Program, Prioritize American Workers

U.S. Representative Greg Steube has introduced the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, or EXILE Act, aiming to terminate the H-1B visa program. The legislation seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by removing this visa category that currently allows foreign workers to fill skilled positions in the United States.

Rep. Steube emphasized that prioritizing foreign labor undermines American workers and national interests. He stated, “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 EXILE Act intends to restore opportunities for American workers and protect their economic future.

Overview of the EXILE Act

This bill specifically targets Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to end the issuance of H-1B visas. Currently, over 80% of H-1B visa recipients are nationals from India or China, with a focus on younger workers. The program has been criticized for disadvantaging domestic labor by favoring foreign employees.

Impact on American Workers

Several examples highlight the consequences of the H-1B visa program on U.S. labor markets:

1. More than 10,000 U.S.-trained physicians have been unable to secure residency placements due to over 5,000 foreign doctors entering the system under H-1B visas.
2. In 2025, over 9,000 H-1B visas led to the displacement of more than 16,000 employees at Microsoft.
3. FedEx’s reliance on the H-1B visa program resulted in the closure of upwards of 100 facilities nationwide.
4. Disney replaced 250 laid-off American workers with foreign employees using H-1B visas in 2015.
5. Southern California Edison dismissed 540 workers in 2014, substituting them with H-1B visa holders from Indian outsourcing firms.

These cases underline concerns that the H-1B visa program prioritizes corporate cost-cutting over the preservation of American jobs.

Broader Policy Implications

The H-1B visa program has long been a subject of debate regarding its impact on the U.S. labor force and economic competitiveness. Supporters argue that it fills essential skill gaps, while critics point to wage suppression and job displacement. The EXILE Act directly challenges this status quo by proposing a complete phase-out of the visa category.

Rep. Steube’s proposal reflects a policy shift aimed at promoting American workers first and reversing trends of outsourcing skilled jobs. The initiative aligns with broader calls from some lawmakers to reform immigration policies to better serve domestic labor interests.

For those interested in the legislative specifics, the full text of the EXILE Act is publicly available for review. This transparency allows stakeholders to assess the legal scope and potential economic effects of ending the H-1B visa program.

The introduction of the EXILE Act signals increased momentum within Congress to address concerns about foreign labor practices and their influence on the American workforce. Whether the bill gains broader support remains to be seen, but it contributes importantly to ongoing discussions around immigration and labor policy reform.