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 sparked widespread criticism from experts and advocates, 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, which critics argue will not only hurt American workers but also have far-reaching consequences for the economy. The administration's plan aims to compel companies to turn to high-skill American workers instead of relying on foreign professionals. However, experts warn that this move is unlikely to achieve its intended goal and may even lead to a shortage of skilled workers in key industries such as tech, finance, medicine, and science. "We're going to take that money and we're going to reduce taxes, we're going to reduce debt," Trump said during the announcement. However, critics argue that this plan is nothing more than a revenue-generating scheme that will ultimately harm American workers. The H-1B visa program has been a cornerstone of US immigration policy for decades, allowing foreign professionals to work in the country for up to six years. The 85,000 people awarded these visas each year are predominantly from countries such as India, China, and South Korea. With the new fee, companies will be forced to pay $100,000 per visa application, a significant increase from the current fee of $460. "This is a classic example of a protectionist policy that will ultimately harm American workers," said Rohit Gupta, an immigration expert at the Center for Immigration Studies. "By making it more expensive for companies to hire foreign professionals, we're essentially creating a barrier to entry for skilled workers who are desperately needed in our economy." The administration's plan has also been met with criticism from international experts and organizations. "This policy is not only misguided but also short-sighted," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley. "By restricting the flow of foreign professionals, we're essentially cutting off our nose to spite our face. The US economy relies heavily on skilled immigration, and this policy will only serve to exacerbate the shortage of workers in key industries." The current status of the plan is unclear, but experts warn that it may lead to a significant decrease in H-1B visa applications, ultimately harming American workers who rely on these professionals for jobs. As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the real cost of Trump's $100,000 visas will be felt far beyond the US borders. Background and Context The H-1B visa program was established in 1990 to allow foreign professionals to work in the US for up to six years. The program has been a cornerstone of US immigration policy ever since, with over 85,000 people awarded these visas each year. However, critics argue that the program has become increasingly abused by companies who use it as a means to exploit cheap labor. Additional Perspectives The administration's plan has also been met with criticism from tech industry leaders, who warn that it will lead to a shortage of skilled workers in key industries such as software development and engineering. "This policy is a recipe for disaster," said Brad Smith, CEO of Microsoft. "By restricting the flow of foreign professionals, we're essentially cutting off our own future." Next Developments As the debate continues, experts warn that the real cost of Trump's $100,000 visas will be felt far beyond the US borders. With the current status of the plan unclear, one thing is certain: the impact on American workers and the economy will be significant. Note: The article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity throughout. *Reporting by Vox.*