US Senator Proposes Bill to End H-1B Exemptions for Universities and Research Centers

H-1B visas used by international academics and researchers could face stricter limits under new legislation introduced by Republican Senator Tom Cotton. The Visa Cap Enforcement Act, unveiled on Wednesday, seeks to remove long-standing exemptions that allow US universities, non-profits, and research institutions to hire unlimited foreign workers outside the annual H-1B quota of 85,000. Cotton argued that colleges should not receive “special treatment” for bringing in foreign professors, saying his Bill closes loopholes that have been “abused for far too long.”

The proposed law would count foreign workers in H-1B status for more than three years against the visa cap, eliminate exemptions for academic and research institutions, remove provisions easing transitions into H-1B, and require petitions after an employer change to be counted again under the quota. If passed, the changes would place universities under the same limits as private companies, significantly restricting their ability to recruit international faculty and researchers.

The move could particularly impact Indian academics, who represent more than 70% of H-1B visa holders and are widely employed in teaching and research roles in the US. Cotton, a long-time critic of high-skilled immigration, insists the programme disadvantages American workers and poses ideological risks. While the Bill has been referred to committee, its future remains uncertain in a closely divided Senate. The proposal comes amid broader efforts, including new application fees and stricter scrutiny, to tighten rules around high-skilled visas.

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