New US bill seeks to shut H-1B door for three years

A new bill introduced in the U.S. Congress aims to suspend the H-1B visa program for three years. The legislation, if passed, would bar the issuance of new H-1B visas during that period, effectively shutting the door on skilled foreign workers seeking employment in the United States.

The bill targets the H-1B visa category, which is widely used by technology companies to hire foreign talent. Proponents of the measure argue that the program has been abused by employers who use it to replace American workers with cheaper labor from abroad.

Opponents of the bill contend that a suspension would harm U.S. competitiveness by cutting off access to global talent. They also warn that it could lead to job losses and drive companies to move operations overseas.

The legislation faces an uncertain path in Congress, where immigration reform has been a contentious issue. If enacted, the three-year moratorium would mark one of the most significant restrictions on legal immigration in recent decades.