Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has introduced a bill that seeks to overhaul the H-1B visa program. Announced on Thursday, the legislation sets forth a plan to phase out visas for foreign medical professionals, instead giving precedence to American doctors and nurses. In a video message, Greene described the H-1B visa program as plagued by "fraud," "abuse," and responsible for displacing American workers for decades. She emphasized the bill's exemption for medical professionals, which establishes an annual cap of 10,000 visas that will gradually be phased out over a decade. This transition period is designed to build a domestic pipeline of American medical professionals.
The bill also intends to reinforce the temporary nature of the H-1B visas. Greene stated that the visas were meant to fulfill specialty occupational needs temporarily and should not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. Under the proposed legislation, H-1B visa holders would be required to return to their home countries once their visas expire. Furthermore, the bill contains a provision to prevent Medicare-funded residency programs from accepting non-citizen students, addressing the issue of U.S. medical school graduates who struggle to find residency placements.
Greene's initiative would terminate the H-1B visa program across all sectors, solidifying an "America First" stance. She argues that prioritizing American citizens over foreign workers is overdue, with the goal of ensuring Americans have opportunities to achieve their dreams. The proposal has garnered support from MAGA advocates, who have consistently criticized the U.S. dependence on foreign labor.
The announcement comes in the wake of President Donald Trump's comments on H-1B visas during a Fox News interview. In contrast to Laura Ingraham's assertion about domestic talent availability, President Trump expressed his view that the United States lacks certain skills and that individuals cannot be transitioned from unemployment lines into highly specialized roles without proper training.
Supporters of Greene's bill contend that it addresses both the displacement of American workers and the national shortage of medical professionals. However, critics may perceive the proposal as a hindrance to foreign talent acquisition and potentially destabilizing to healthcare staffing, especially in the short term. The bill underscores the ongoing debates about immigration, workforce priorities, and the role of temporary visas in the U.S. labor market, issues that continue to resonate with conservative voters.
