Washington: An immigration bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives that seeks to roll back some of the restrictions imposed on the H-1B visa program during US President Donald Trump's second term in office. This comes amid a continued debate on how Washington DC should manage high-skilled immigration, including from India.
The legislation titled: Welcoming International Success Act (WISA) was introduced by Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. If the Act is passed, it would nullify the September 2025 Presidential Proclamation by Donald Trump, which imposed rigid wage level requirements and a $100,000 sponsorship fee for new H-1B applicants.
A press release by the office of Coleman detailing the WISA Act argued that the H-1B program encourages talented workers from abroad to work in industries in the US that experience labor shortages, including technology, engineering, healthcare, and education.
"The H-1B program does not replace the domestic workforce; it serves as a bridge between US talent and global talent that fuels US economic growth," the release noted.
The proposed legislation has drawn support from several Democratic lawmakers, including Yvette Clarke, Lois Frankel, Seth Moulton and Hank Johnson, who have signed on as co-sponsors.
Trump threatens to veto all billsPresident Donald Trump has said he would not sign any other legislation until Congress approves a voter bill that Democrats believe would disenfranchise some voters, Reuters reported. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump laid down a tough marker for the SAVE America Act, which passed the Republican-led House of Representatives in February but faces an uphill battle in the Senate, also controlled by Republicans. "I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed," Trump said. |
