EXILE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7451
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-19T16:50:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 7451: Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act (EXILE Act)
Purpose
This legislation aims to end the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. The bill seeks to discontinue this program entirely starting in fiscal year 2027.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Sets the annual limit on H-1B visas to zero beginning in fiscal year 2027 and for all future years.
- Maintains existing limits through fiscal year 2026 before the cap drops to zero.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a complete phase-out of the H-1B numerical cap, shifting from current annual limits to a permanent zero allocation.
- This represents a direct amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the program's operational capacity after 2026.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Agencies such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security would likely see reduced processing of H-1B petitions after 2026.
- Citizens and workers: U.S. workers in affected fields may face changes in job competition, while foreign workers currently on or seeking H-1B status would lose this visa pathway.
- International relations: Could affect relations with countries that send many H-1B workers, such as India and China, by limiting temporary employment opportunities in the U.S.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. employers in technology, engineering, and other specialty sectors that currently use H-1B visas.
- Foreign nationals seeking or holding H-1B status.
- U.S. workers in similar occupations.
- Immigration enforcement and processing agencies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- This change falls within Congress's authority to set immigration policy and numerical limits on nonimmigrant visas.
- It would require no new constitutional authority but could lead to legal challenges if implementation affects existing visa holders or contracts.
- Politically, it addresses debates over foreign labor programs and their effects on domestic employment.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (2 pages)