Donald Trump recently announced a new policy regarding H-1B visas, introducing a $100,000 annual fee aimed at discouraging their use for new applicants. This change occurs despite the significant reliance on the H-1B program by various industries, particularly the tech sector, which employs many highly skilled foreign workers. For instance, Amazon reportedly has around 14,000 H-1B workers, the highest among companies, while other notable firms like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Tata Consultancy each employ over 4,000 H-1B visa holders.
The new fee will only impact first-time applicants and is expected to face legal challenges. However, it has already prompted some companies to take precautionary measures. Reports indicate that Microsoft issued an internal memo urging employees abroad to return to the U.S. before the policy takes effect and has warned visa holders not to leave the country due to concerns about their ability to return.
In conjunction with this policy shift, the administration is proposing a “gold card” visa program, which would replace existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa programs for individuals of extraordinary ability or those with advanced degrees. The new program would require applicants to demonstrate exceptional value to the U.S. by contributing a significant monetary investment, with fees set at $1 million, and possibly $2 million if supported by an employer. The administration claims this initiative could generate over $100 billion to address national debt and reduce taxes, although these assertions lack supporting data.
With the U.S. national debt currently exceeding $37 trillion, experts suggest any potential revenue from these initiatives may be comparatively minor in addressing broader fiscal concerns.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/782251/trump-h-1b-skilled-worker-visas-cost-100000