Trump Imposes $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas, Raising Concerns for US Workers and Economy

The Real Cost of Trump's $100,000 Visas: A Blow to American Workers and the Economy In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global tech community, President Donald Trump announced last week that the United States would begin imposing a $100,000 fee on all new H-1B visa applications. The high-skill foreign professionals who rely on these visas to work in the US are now facing an exorbitant sum, sparking concerns about the impact on American workers and the economy. The administration's plan is to use the revenue generated from the increased fees to reduce taxes and debt. However, critics argue that this move will only serve to further burden companies and individuals who rely on H-1B visas, ultimately hurting American workers in the process. "We're going to take that money and we're going to reduce taxes, we're going to reduce debt," Trump said during a press conference last week. "This is going to be great for America, believe me." The H-1B visa program allows 85,000 high-skill foreign professionals to work in the US each year, with workers in tech, finance, medicine, and science making up the majority of recipients. According to immigration experts, the increased fees will not only deter companies from hiring foreign workers but also lead to a shortage of skilled labor in key industries. "This is a classic example of a policy that sounds good on paper but has devastating consequences for American workers," said John Miano, an attorney specializing in immigration law. The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue for years, with critics arguing that it allows companies to exploit foreign workers and undercut American wages. However, proponents argue that the program is essential for filling skills gaps in key industries and driving innovation. The move is also being seen as part of Trump's broader restrictive immigration policy, which has sparked international criticism. "This policy is a clear example of how the US is turning its back on global talent and innovation," said Dr. Rohini Pande, an economist at Harvard University who specializes in immigration and labor markets. As the debate continues to rage, it remains to be seen how this new policy will affect American workers and the economy. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will begin implementing the increased fees on October 1, with companies and individuals affected by the change already beginning to speak out against the move. Background: The H-1B visa program was established in 1990 as a way to allow high-skill foreign professionals to work in the US. The program has been subject to controversy over the years, with critics arguing that it allows companies to exploit foreign workers and undercut American wages. Additional Perspectives: "This policy is a disaster for American workers and will only serve to further widen the skills gap in key industries," said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). "The US needs to be open to global talent and innovation, not shut it out with policies like this," said Dr. Pande. Current Status: The USCIS has announced that it will begin implementing the increased fees on October 1, with companies and individuals affected by the change already beginning to speak out against the move. As the debate continues to rage, it remains to be seen how this new policy will affect American workers and the economy. *Reporting by Vox.*