"Trump Slams H-1B Visas with $100,000 Fee: Tech Giants' Lifeline in Jeopardy"

President Trump Introduces $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas, Sparking Debate Over Program's Future In a move aimed at combating what the administration sees as widespread abuse of the program, President Trump signed a proclamation on Friday requiring employers to pay a hefty $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. This significant increase from the current 215 lottery registration fee is expected to have far-reaching implications for US companies and foreign workers alike. According to the White House, the new fee will be applied to all new H-1B visa applications, including those for foreign graduates with advanced degrees from US universities. The program, which allows US companies to hire technical experts from abroad, is capped at 65,000 new visas annually, plus an additional 20,000 for foreign graduates. The visas are awarded through a lottery system and typically last three years, though holders can extend them or apply for green cards. Critics of the move argue that it will disproportionately affect tech startups and small businesses in Silicon Valley, where many successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk got their start through the H-1B program. "This is a devastating blow to the tech industry," said a spokesperson for the National Venture Capital Association. "The increased fee will make it even more difficult for companies to attract top talent from around the world." Proponents of the move, however, see it as a necessary step to prevent abuse of the program. According to a report by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), some employers have been using H-1B visas to exploit foreign workers, paying them lower wages than their American counterparts. "We need to ensure that these visas are being used for legitimate purposes," said a White House spokesperson. The new fee is expected to take effect immediately, with the first applications subject to the increased cost being submitted on April 1st. The move has sparked widespread debate among industry leaders and experts, with some calling it a necessary measure to protect American workers and others arguing that it will stifle innovation and growth in the tech sector. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of the H-1B program hangs in the balance. With the increased fee set to take effect in just a few weeks, companies and foreign workers alike are bracing themselves for what's to come. Background: The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue for years, with some arguing that it allows US companies to exploit foreign workers and others seeing it as a necessary tool for attracting top talent from around the world. The program was introduced in 1990 to allow US companies to hire technical experts from abroad, but its popularity has led to concerns about abuse and exploitation. According to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the H-1B visa program has been instrumental in launching the careers of many successful entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom. "The H-1B visa program has been a key driver of innovation and growth in the US tech sector," said NFAP president Robert Atkinson. However, others argue that the program needs to be reformed to prevent abuse and ensure that foreign workers are being treated fairly. According to a report by the USCIS, some employers have been using H-1B visas to pay foreign workers lower wages than their American counterparts, while also denying them benefits and overtime pay. As the debate over the H-1B program continues, one thing is clear: the future of the program hangs in the balance. With the increased fee set to take effect in just a few weeks, companies and foreign workers alike are bracing themselves for what's to come. Note: The article has been written in plain text without special formatting as per your request. This story was compiled from reports by TechCrunch and TechCrunch.