Trump raises H-1B visa fee to $103,265, targets 200,000 asylum visas
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The Department of Homeland Security announced a $103,265 fee on H-1B visas, while the State Department plans to revoke up to 200,000 visas issued to asylum seekers. The moves mark an escalation in the administration's efforts to reduce legal immigration, drawing criticism from tech industry advocates.
Key Facts
- The Department of Homeland Security announced a fee of over $103,000 on H-1B visas on Monday.
- The State Department plans to revoke up to 200,000 business and travel visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to asylum seekers.
- Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are the three biggest employers of H-1B workers.
- A federal judge struck down Trump's previous attempt to raise the cost of H-1B visas in June, but not until over 70 employers paid the $100,000 fee.
- FWD.us president Todd Schulte called the new fee 'clearly unlawful' and said it aims to eliminate the OPT and H-1B programs.
H-1B Fee Increase
The Department of Homeland Security announced a fee of over $103,000 on H-1B visas on Monday. The new fee is set at $103,265, up from a previous $100,000 fee that a federal judge struck down in June. Over 70 employers had already paid the $100,000 fee before the court ruling. Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are the three biggest employers of H-1B workers.
Asylum Visa Revocation
The State Department plans to revoke up to 200,000 business and travel visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who applied for asylum after arriving in the US. The Associated Press first reported the plan, which would be the largest mass visa revocation in US history. The administration is also pressuring noncitizens to 'self-deport,' imposing civil fines and threatening asset seizures.
Industry and Community Impact
FWD.us president Todd Schulte called the new fee 'clearly unlawful' and said it aims to eliminate the OPT and H-1B programs. The previous fee hike exacerbated labor shortages at rural hospitals and Alaska public schools. DHS hinted that the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program may soon carry a $100,000 fee of its own.
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Trump raises H-1B visa fee to $103,265, targets 200,000 asylum visas
