Big Relief for Indian Techies? The New ‘WISA’ Bill Aiming to Scrap Trump’s $100K H-1B Fee
Washington D.C. / New Delhi, March 10, 2026 — Amid growing anxiety surrounding the US immigration landscape, a new legislative proposal called the Welcoming International Success Act (WISA) has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. The bill brings a significant ray of hope for thousands of Indian professionals by proposing a complete rollback of the severe H-1B visa restrictions implemented during Donald Trump’s second term.
Targeting the 2025 Trump Proclamation
Spearheaded by Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman and backed by several co-sponsors, the WISA Act specifically targets the controversial September 2025 Presidential Proclamation.
Trump’s executive order fundamentally tightened the highly sought-after H-1B program by imposing strict, elevated wage-level requirements and slapping an unprecedented $100,000 sponsorship fee on US employers looking to hire new H-1B workers. If passed, the WISA Act would entirely nullify these crippling financial and administrative barriers, making it easier for American companies, universities, and hospitals to hire top-tier global talent.
A Lifeline for Indian Professionals
The H-1B visa serves as the primary bridge for skilled foreign professionals entering the US technology, engineering, and healthcare sectors. With Indian nationals traditionally accounting for over 70 percent of all H-1B visas issued annually, the outcome of this legislation directly impacts the Indian diaspora.
Advocates of the bill argue that the recent restrictions have hindered innovation and exacerbated critical staffing shortages in the US. Representative Coleman emphasized that the H-1B program “does not replace the domestic workforce; it serves as a bridge between U.S. talent and global talent that fuels U.S. economic growth.” She particularly noted that rolling back these rules is essential to averting a looming crisis in the American healthcare sector.
Countering the Push to End the H-1B Program
The introduction of the WISA Act serves as a direct legislative counter-offensive to recent Republican-led efforts to eliminate the visa program altogether. Over the last few months, hardline lawmakers have introduced aggressive legislation—such as the “End H-1B Now Act” and the “EXILE Act”—which seek to completely shut down the H-1B pathway by 2027 in favor of an “America First” hiring approach.
While the WISA Act offers a much-needed protective shield for the program, the bill remains in the early stages of the legislative process. It must successfully navigate both chambers of Congress and receive a presidential signature before it can officially reverse the current mandates.