The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has initiated legal action against the Trump administration concerning a new fee of $100,000 (£74,000) on H-1B visas, which are designated for skilled foreign workers. This fee has been described by Chamber officials, including Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley, as potentially prohibitive for U.S. employers utilizing the program.
President Trump recently enacted an executive order that imposes this fee, citing concerns over the misuse of the visa program. The H-1B visa system is commonly used in the U.S. tech industry by both large corporations and startups. Critics argue that the revamped fee structure may compromise the employment landscape for American workers.
In response to the lawsuit, the White House defended the fee as lawful and deemed it an essential step toward reforming the visa program. It is important to note that the fee applies only to new visa applications and mandates payment for entry into the program.
Notable tech executives such as Elon Musk, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Sundar Pichai of Alphabet have previously benefited from the H-1B visa, emphasizing its significance in attracting global talent to the U.S. The executive order also introduces a “gold card” option that allows for streamlined visa processing for certain immigrants at a starting cost of £1 million.
The Chamber of Commerce contends that the fee could harm American businesses by increasing labor costs or reducing the number of highly skilled employees hired. Despite this, the Chamber has acknowledged Trump’s broader agenda for economic growth, encompassing tax reforms and deregulation.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has expressed support for the order, suggesting that companies must evaluate whether a potential employee warrants the hefty fee or should instead hire domestically. Many H-1B visa holders originate from countries like India and China, and tech industry advocates argue that these workers fill roles that are not easily filled by U.S. labor. The White House maintains that the new measures aim to prevent wage suppression among American workers.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm270lj46eyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss