Indian professionals and students in the United States, or those planning to move there, are facing a potentially significant shift in immigration rules. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has introduced the ASSIMILATION Act, an 82-page proposal that seeks sweeping changes to America’s existing immigration system with provisions that could directly affect H-1B visa holders, international students, and those on the path to permanent residency.
H-1B Visa: Tighter Cap, Higher Wages, No Extensions
The bill’s most immediate impact would fall on Indian IT professionals. Under the proposal, the annual H-1B visa cap would be cut to 50,000. Employers hiring foreign workers would be required to pay them at least 200 per cent of the average wage for that occupation. H-1B status would be capped at three years with no extensions permitted. Crucially, visa holders would be required to remain outside the United States for two years after their visa expires before becoming eligible to apply for a Green Card.
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OPT Eliminated, Family Immigration Restricted
For Indian students currently studying in the US, the bill proposes the elimination of the Optional Practical Training programme the route that currently allows international students to work in the US after completing their degrees. The proposal also seeks to significantly restrict family-based immigration, limiting the ability of visa holders to bring family members to the country.
Citizenship: Longer Wait, Higher English Bar, No Diversity Lottery
Those seeking American citizenship would face a residency requirement extended from five years to ten. The bill also proposes raising the English language proficiency standard as a condition for naturalisation. The Diversity Visa Lottery programme would be eliminated entirely under the proposal.
Tuberville’s Stated Rationale
Senator Tuberville said the intent behind the legislation is to protect American workers and prioritise immigrants willing to integrate into American culture. “Coming to America is a privilege, not a right,” he said. The bill arrives ahead of the 2026 elections, as immigration remains one of the most politically charged issues in the country. The Trump administration has simultaneously been pushing deportations and stricter border enforcement.
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