Exclusive: A new Republican proposal introduced on Wednesday would eliminate the H-1B visa exception for higher education staff. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a key sponsor of the ‘Colleges for the American People Act of 2025,’ argues that the change would ensure American universities prioritize domestic workers over foreign labor. The legislation would repeal the current carveout in the Immigration and Nationality Act, requiring international employees at U.S. institutions to go through the standard H-1B visa process, which includes a 65,000-person cap with additional exceptions for certain sectors. The proposal is not retroactive, meaning current H-1B visa holders at universities can still apply for extensions without affecting the overall cap.
Meanwhile, the use of H-1B visas in higher education has become a focal point of national security concerns. Trump recently suspended foreign student visas at Harvard University amid claims of potential threats to U.S. interests. The State Department has since launched an investigation into all visa holders linked to the university, raising questions about the broader implications of international student and staff recruitment. This scrutiny has intensified debates over the role of visa programs in academic institutions, with critics arguing that these policies undermine American workers.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has been a vocal opponent of the H-1B visa program, accusing it of replacing well-paying American jobs with low-wage labor from abroad. He has argued that the program benefits corporate interests by allowing companies to exploit foreign workers rather than investing in domestic talent. Despite these criticisms, the H-1B visa remains a critical component of the U.S. immigration system, with over 600,000 holders as of 2019. The Trump administration has signaled potential reforms, including stricter criteria for visa eligibility. However, the ongoing debate over the fairness and economic impact of the H-1B program highlights the deep ideological divide within American politics.