Global: H-1B Dual Intent Proposal Sparks Debate, Experts See Tough…

H-1B Dual Intent Proposal Sparks Debate, Experts See Tough Road Ahead

Chip Roy's new H-1B reform bill seeks to curb the visa-to-Green Card pathway and tighten hiring rules. Experts say the proposal faces major hurdles in Congress.

Asian Media Network | Published on: Jun 5, 2026, 6:47 PM

Global

Washington: A controversial immigration proposal backed by Republican Congressman Chip Roy has reignited debate over the future of the H-1B visa program and employment-based immigration in the United States

. The proposed legislation seeks major changes to the H-1B system, including restrictions that could effectively end the long-standing pathway from an H-1B work visa to permanent residency (Green Card).

The bill, titled the “American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act of 2026,” aims to replace the current H-1B lottery with a wage-based selection process, impose stricter hiring requirements on employers, and prioritize American workers for high-skilled jobs. It also includes measures that immigration experts say could make it significantly harder for foreign professionals to transition from temporary work status to permanent residency.

Supporters of the legislation argue that the reforms are necessary to prevent companies from using foreign labor to undercut U.S. workers. Chip Roy has said the existing system has been abused and needs to be redesigned to put American professionals first.

However, immigration attorneys and policy analysts believe the proposal faces significant hurdles in Congress. Similar efforts to overhaul or restrict the H-1B program have been introduced in previous years but failed to gain enough bipartisan support to become law. Experts note that major U.S. technology companies, universities, and business groups are likely to oppose measures that limit access to global talent.

The proposal has drawn particular attention in India, whose professionals account for the majority of H-1B visa holders. Any move to restrict the H-1B-to-Green Card pathway could have far-reaching implications for thousands of skilled workers and their families seeking long-term careers in the United States.

While the bill has intensified the immigration debate in Washington, analysts say its chances of becoming law remain uncertain, with a lengthy legislative process and strong opposition expected in both Congress and industry circles.