Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa Fee Shocks Tech Industry!

The Trump administration has announced a massive change to the H-1B visa program, slapping a $100,000 annual fee on employers for each foreign worker they hire under the visa. This new policy represents one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. immigration and labor rules in years, and it’s already sparking major debate across the country.

Supporters argue the move will protect American workers, curb abuse of the visa system, and stop companies from hiring low-wage foreign talent instead of U.S. citizens. The administration has also raised prevailing wage requirements, meaning H-1B workers must now be paid closer to what American workers earn in similar roles.

But critics warn this change could backfire in a big way. Many tech companies, startups, and small businesses rely on skilled international talent to stay competitive. The sudden jump from a few hundred dollars in fees to one hundred thousand per worker could make hiring impossible for smaller firms, drive away top global talent, and slow down innovation in key industries like technology, healthcare, and research.

The new rules are set to take effect immediately, and businesses are scrambling to figure out how to adapt. For foreign workers already in the U.S. on H-1B visas, uncertainty about their future is growing by the day.

Is this policy a bold step to protect American jobs — or a risky gamble that could hurt U.S. competitiveness on the world stage?