INTERNATIONAL: US lawmakers demand removal of $100K H-1B visa fee
President Donald Trump’s push to add a hefty $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications has sparked a rare bipartisan pushback from U.S. lawmakers.
Seven members of Congress, spanning Democrats and Republicans, penned a letter to Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, calling for an immediate reversal.
They argue the move, aimed at curbing visa abuse, risks stifling the very innovation that drives America’s edge.
Bipartisan Letter Highlights Concerns
The lawmakers warn that the fee won’t deter misuse but will hammer small businesses and startups hardest.
These firms, they say, lack the deep pockets of tech giants like Amazon or Microsoft, forcing them to pause hires and potentially ship projects overseas.
Skilled talent from nations like India, key to filling U.S. tech gaps, could slip away, dimming the country’s competitive spark.
Skilled immigrants, the letter stresses, have long fueled economic growth and job creation for Americans.
The group urges targeted crackdowns on outsourcing firms that undercut local wages, rather than broad penalties that hit everyone.
Visa Overhaul: The Details and Backlash
Trump’s September 19, 2025, executive action imposes the $100,000 as an annual fee on sponsoring companies, effective September 21 for new applicants only.
The White House clarified it spares current holders and renewals, applying solely to fresh overseas entries in the 2026 lottery.
Still, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sued, citing harm to high-skilled hiring amid low unemployment in tech roles.
Critics point out the H-1B cap of 85,000 visas yearly already strains supply, with India claiming 71% of approvals.
Lawmakers propose Congress-led reforms to modernize the program, balancing protection for U.S. workers with global talent influx.
Broader Economic Ripples
Big corporations might absorb the cost, but startups face a tougher road. Walmart paused H-1B hires, and firms like Meta warned employees abroad to rush back.
Trump’s fluctuating stance, restrictive in his first term, more open during 2024 campaigning, now divides even MAGA allies, with Silicon Valley voices clashing against wage-protection hawks.
As debates rage, the fee could reshape hiring, potentially costing billions in lost productivity.
Will it safeguard jobs or send talent packing? The answer may hinge on how quickly Washington adapts.