Trump Administration Proposes New $103K Fee for H-1B Visas

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a proposal for H-1B visas that includes a $103,265 fee. This fee targets workers looking for employment in the U.S. who fall under the annual cap. H-1B visas are crucial for the tech industry, allowing companies to recruit foreign talent for specialized roles.

Data from the Bipartisan Policy Center indicates that nearly two-thirds of H-1B approvals are for computer-related positions. These include software engineering, data science, and IT support roles. The proposed fee intends to cover the federal costs associated with lawful immigration. This encompasses activities managed by the DHS, as well as the departments of Justice, State, and Labor.

“The proposed H‑1B fee aims to recover the costs incurred across the federal government to support lawful immigration programs,” stated Zach Kahler, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

This proposal follows a judge’s decision in June to nullify a previous $100,000 fee proposition for H-1B applications under the Trump administration. Judge Leo Sorokin ruled the previous fee unlawful, emphasizing that only Congress has the power to set such policies and taxes.

The initial proposal would have affected universities, hospitals, and research institutions, but the new rule excludes these entities. Companies and tech employees have a 30-day period to comment on this proposal after it appears in the Federal Register.

Details on this story are available at TheHill.com.