According to a legislation introduced by a Republican congressman in the U.S. Congress, the key salary threshold in the H-1B visa program is set to increase from the current annual salary of $60,000 to nearly $140,000.
Congressman Glenn Grothman from Wisconsin proposed the “Protecting American Workers Through H-1B Modernization Act” to raise the salary threshold. A complementary bill was also introduced by Republican Senator Jon Husted from Ohio in the Senate.
Grothman stated that the need for this new legislation is because the current $60,000 salary threshold has not kept pace with salary growth.
Since 1998, the income threshold for H-1B visa holders has remained at $60,000.
Grothman’s proposal aims to change this fixed amount to double the national average wage index from the Social Security Administration (SSA). His office mentioned that this would bring the income threshold closer to $140,000.
Additionally, the salary threshold will be linked to the wage index, allowing it to increase or decrease with changes in the average wage.
In a press release on Tuesday, Grothman said, “Employers should not use outdated salary thresholds set nearly 30 years ago to bypass job protections for qualified American workers. This threshold should have been raised years ago but has remained unchanged, which is unreasonable.”
The press release noted, “The salary threshold has not changed since 1998, creating a legal loophole that enables companies to bypass American workers and not offer these job opportunities to qualified American workers.”
He added, “Washington’s inaction shows that policymakers prioritize obtaining cheap foreign labor over caring for unemployed Americans.”
He emphasized that the proposal would help ensure that American workers have a fair chance to compete for these jobs, stating, “American workers should have priority in their own country.”
However, the bill will not require all H-1B visa holders to reach a $140,000 annual income. Certain H-1B employees may be exempt if they earn at least $60,000 annually or hold a master’s degree from the U.S., but the proposal will raise the salary threshold for those eligible for exemptions.
Currently, the proposal has been submitted to the House Judiciary Committee and must be passed by both the House and the Senate, then signed by the President to become law.
Grothman’s bill is one of several H-1B visa program reform proposals put forward by Republicans.
Previously, Arizona Congressman Eli Crane introduced the “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act,” which aims to suspend the issuance of new H-1B visas for three years, reduce the annual quota, and set a salary threshold of $200,000.
Texas Congressman Beth Van Duyne proposed the “H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act,” which would significantly increase penalties for employers engaged in serious violations.
Texas Congressman Chip Roy also introduced the “American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act,” which seeks to terminate the pathway for H-1B visa holders to obtain permanent residency and overhaul the visa granting process.
Democratic members of Congress have also introduced various proposals, including legislation to address the backlog of millions waiting for permanent residency, including H-1B visa holders.
(Reference: News Weekly)