3 days ago
Trump Administration Signals New H-1B Visa Crackdown Measures
The Trump administration says it wants to make sure H-1B visas are not used to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign workers.
A senior Labor Department official hinted that more action on foreign work visas may come soon, but did not say what it would be.
Vice President JD Vance has called the H-1B program broken and supports a $100,000 fee for new applications.
The administration has also changed how some applications are selected and increased screening.
The article says courts have blocked the fee, while the administration has continued to support it.
The Labor Department and Justice Department have also taken steps involving companies suspected of visa abuse or discrimination.
The article does not explain what the next announced action will be.
Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito warned on X that a “big week” was ahead for foreign labor visas, without specifying planned actions.
Vice President JD Vance called the H-1B program “completely broken” and defended the administration’s $100,000 fee for new applications.
The article says the $100,000 fee policy was extended through September 21, 2027, but is blocked by court order.
The administration has also adopted wage-weighted H-1B selection and enhanced screening, while DHS supports a separate proposed permanent fee of $103,256.
Federal agencies have pursued or announced scrutiny involving companies including Cognizant and Cloudera over visa-related filings or alleged discrimination.
- Who
- The Trump administration, including Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito and Vice President JD Vance.
- What
- Officials signaled possible further action on foreign labor visas and defended measures to restrict or change the H-1B program.
- Where
- The United States.
- When
- The warning was reported after Vance’s recent interview; the article also describes actions and announcements in 2025.
- Why
- The administration says the measures are intended to prevent visa abuse and protect American workers.
Administration’s case
Court challenges and legal objections
The $100,000 fee
Administration’s case
Vance defended the fee, arguing it could discourage employers from using H-1B visas to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
Court challenges and legal objections
The article reports that courts blocked the fee; one judge ruled that agencies had not followed required procedures, and a June ruling described it as an unlawful tax.
Purpose of the crackdown
Administration’s case
The administration says stronger controls are needed to address alleged visa abuse and protect U.S. workers.
Court challenges and legal objections
The article describes legal challenges to the fee and actions against employers, but does not provide a direct response from affected companies or a broader opposing argument.
Key facts
- H-1B annual cap
- 65,000 regular visas, plus 20,000 additional petitions exempt from the cap for qualifying U.S. advanced-degree holders.
- Fee for new applications
- A $100,000 fee was imposed by a September 2025 presidential proclamation and later extended through September 21, 2027, according to the article.
- Fee status
- The article reports that the $100,000 fee is blocked by court order and has faced legal challenges.
- Separate proposed fee
- The Department of Homeland Security supports a proposed permanent fee of $103,256.
- Selection change
- The H-1B lottery was replaced with a wage-weighted selection process, according to the article.
- India’s share
- The article cites USCIS data showing applicants from India received over 70% of specialty-occupation work visa approvals in recent years.
- Companies mentioned
- Cognizant’s PERM filings were suspended; the Justice Department sued Cloudera in April over alleged discrimination against U.S. workers.
Quotes
Anthony D’Esposito
Inspector General of the US Department of Labor
“My view is the H-1B program is completely broken.”
financialexpress.com
“H-1B fraudsters…count your days.”
financialexpress.com
Harmeet K. Dhillon
Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division
“Employers cannot use the PERM sponsorship process as a backdoor for discriminating against U.S. workers.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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