A new bill introduced in the US Congress has sparked concern among thousands of skilled foreign workers, particularly Indians, by proposing sweeping changes to the H-1B visa system. The legislation, titled the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act, aims to overhaul the existing framework by ending the use of H-1B visas as a pathway to permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card.
What Does the Proposed Bill Say?
The bill has been introduced by Republican Congressman Chip Roy and seeks to significantly tighten the H-1B visa programme. One of its most notable provisions is the proposal to end the long-standing route through which many H-1B visa holders eventually obtain permanent residency in the United States.
The legislation would also require H-1B applicants to maintain a residence abroad, reinforcing the visa’s status as a temporary work permit rather than a pathway to settlement in the US.
Major Changes Proposed
Apart from ending the Green Card pathway, the bill includes several other significant reforms:
- Reducing the maximum H-1B visa duration from six years to two years.
- Replacing the current lottery-based selection system with a wage-based allocation process.
- Giving priority to applicants offered higher salaries.
- Requiring employers to demonstrate efforts to hire American workers first.
- Eliminating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme that allows international students to work in the US after graduation.
Supporters of the bill argue that these measures would protect American jobs and wages, particularly in technology and engineering sectors.
Why Indians Are Watching Closely
Indian professionals account for the majority of H-1B visa holders in the United States, especially in the technology sector. For many, the H-1B visa serves as the first step toward obtaining permanent residency and eventually US citizenship.
Any move to sever the connection between H-1B status and Green Card eligibility could have significant implications for Indian IT professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, and students planning careers in the US.
Will the Bill Become Law?
At present, the proposal is only a bill and must pass both chambers of Congress before becoming law. Similar immigration reform proposals have been introduced in the past but have struggled to gain sufficient support. As a result, the legislation faces a long and uncertain path before any of its provisions could take effect.
Summary
A new US bill, the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act, seeks to end the H-1B visa’s role as a pathway to Green Cards while introducing stricter eligibility rules. The proposal would shorten visa validity, eliminate the OPT programme, and prioritize higher-paid applicants. If enacted, the reforms could significantly impact Indian professionals, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders in the United States.
