Congresswoman Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Repeal Trump's Costly H-1B Restrictions

New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has introduced the Welcoming International Success Act, legislation aimed at nullifying President Trump's September 2025 proclamation that imposed sweeping restrictions on H-1B visa workers, including a staggering $100,000 fee on new petitions and a wage-based lottery replacement system.​

The bill, designated H.R.7859, would render the proclamation titled "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" null and void. The legislation is co-sponsored by several fellow Democratic representatives and directly targets what Watson Coleman called an unnecessary and damaging burden on American employers and the economy.​

"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," Watson Coleman said in her official statement.​

The legislation comes amid a fierce Congressional battle over the future of H-1B visas. While Republicans like Florida's Greg Steube have pushed the EXILE Act to eliminate the programme entirely by 2027, Watson Coleman's bill represents a direct Democratic counteroffensive to protect the visa pathway, which is critical for hundreds of thousands of Indian technology professionals working across the United States.