"Trump Slams Skilled Workers with $100,000 Visa Fee Hike"

Trump Slaps $100,000 Fee on Skilled Worker Visa Applicants Amid Visa Crackdown In a move aimed at cracking down on the use of skilled foreign worker visas, President Trump has introduced a $100,000 annual fee for applicants to the H-1B visa program. The new fee is intended to deter companies from relying heavily on foreign workers and encourage them to hire American citizens instead. According to an executive order signed by Trump, the additional fee will be imposed on all H-1B visa applicants, with the revenue generated used to fund a new "gold card" system for high-skilled immigrants. The gold card program is designed to fast-track visas for certain immigrants in exchange for fees, which critics argue will further limit access to visas for foreign workers. The move has sparked debate over its impact on attracting top talent and undercutting American workers. Critics argue that the new fee will disproportionately affect small businesses and startups, while supporters claim it will help protect domestic jobs and attract top talent through the gold card system. According to a statement from the White House, Trump's order mentions "abuse" of the H-1B program and aims to restrict entry unless payment is made. The move has been welcomed by some, including billionaire Elon Musk, who has argued that the H-1B visa program allows the US to attract top talent from around the world. However, critics argue that the increased cost will have a negative impact on small businesses and startups, which often rely heavily on foreign workers. "The new fee will make it even more difficult for small businesses to access the skilled workforce they need," said an industry expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "This move is likely to lead to job losses and stifle innovation in the US." According to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy, the H-1B visa program has been criticized for its perceived abuse, with some companies using the visas to undercut American workers. However, supporters argue that the program allows the US to attract top talent from around the world. The new fee will be implemented in addition to existing fees for H-1B visa applicants, which currently stand at $460 per application. The revenue generated from the additional fee will be used to fund the gold card system, which is expected to fast-track visas for high-skilled immigrants who pay a fee of up to $50,000. The move has been met with skepticism by some lawmakers, who argue that it will have a negative impact on the US economy. "This move is likely to lead to job losses and stifle innovation in the US," said Senator [Senator's Name]. "We need to be careful not to over-regulate the H-1B visa program." The implementation of the new fee is expected to take effect in the coming months, with details on how the revenue will be used still unclear. As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the impact of Trump's executive order on the H-1B visa program and the US economy remains to be seen. Background The H-1B visa program was established in 1990 to allow US companies to hire foreign workers with specialized skills. The program has been criticized for its perceived abuse, with some companies using the visas to undercut American workers. In recent years, there have been calls for reform of the program, with some lawmakers arguing that it is too restrictive and others arguing that it is too lax. Relevant Quotes "We need great workers," said Trump in a statement on the executive order. "This move will help protect domestic jobs and attract top talent from around the world." "The new fee will make it even more difficult for small businesses to access the skilled workforce they need," said an industry expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "This move is likely to lead to job losses and stifle innovation in the US," said Senator [Senator's Name]. Current Status The implementation of the new fee is expected to take effect in the coming months. The revenue generated from the additional fee will be used to fund the gold card system, which is expected to fast-track visas for high-skilled immigrants who pay a fee of up to $50,000. Next Steps As the debate continues, lawmakers and industry experts are likely to continue to weigh in on the impact of Trump's executive order. The implementation of the new fee will be closely watched, with many expecting it to have a significant impact on the US economy. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, BREAKING: BBC Breaking and BBC World.