Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Trump Administration Plans New H-1B Fee Despite Court Reversal
The Trump administration wants to make some work visas much more expensive.
The proposed fee for a new H-1B petition would be more than $103,265.
This comes after a court said an earlier visa fee was unlawful.
Officials say the new fee would help pay for government agencies.
Critics say it could unfairly hurt foreign workers and graduates.
They also say the United States’ technology industry may need workers from other countries.
The administration is reportedly considering revoking many tourist and business visas held by people who applied for asylum.
The article argues that immigration rules should protect the country while still treating people escaping danger humanely.
The White House plans a fee exceeding $103,265 for new H-1B petitions.
The proposal follows a federal court ruling that an earlier presidentially imposed levy was unlawful.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services says the new fee would cover costs across multiple Homeland Security agencies.
The administration is also considering tighter wage, eligibility and scrutiny requirements for employment visas.
The article says the administration may revoke up to 200,000 B1 and B2 visas held by asylum applicants.
- Who
- The Trump administration, the White House, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, foreign workers and visa holders.
- What
- A proposed H-1B fee exceeding $103,265, broader employment-visa restrictions, and possible revocation of up to 200,000 B1 and B2 visas.
- When
- The plans were reported after recent federal court rulings against earlier immigration measures.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The proposed H-1B fee is described as covering costs for multiple Homeland Security agencies; the wider measures are presented as immigration and visa enforcement actions.
Administration’s Enforcement Rationale
Critics’ Concerns
H-1B fee
Administration’s Enforcement Rationale
The proposed fee is presented by US Citizenship and Immigration Services as a way to cover the costs of multiple Homeland Security agencies.
Critics’ Concerns
The article argues that the fee would impose discriminatory treatment on H-1B immigrants and make employment visas prohibitively difficult for many applicants.
Foreign workers and technology staffing
Administration’s Enforcement Rationale
The administration’s approach prioritizes US citizens and tighter controls on foreign employment visas.
Critics’ Concerns
The article says the administration has offered no scientific study showing that the technology industry can meet its staffing needs without overseas talent.
Asylum applicants’ visas
Administration’s Enforcement Rationale
The reported revocations would be part of a broader effort to enforce immigration and visa rules.
Critics’ Concerns
The article argues that collective suspicion toward asylum applicants conflicts with the United States’ stated commitment to treating people fleeing tyrannical regimes humanely.
- Proposed H-1B fee
- More than $103,265 for new H-1B petitions.
- Earlier levy
- A federal court declared an earlier presidentially imposed H-1B levy unlawful.
- Stated purpose
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services says the proposed fee would cover costs across multiple Homeland Security agencies.
- Potential employment-visa changes
- Tighter wage, eligibility and scrutiny requirements could make visas harder to obtain.
- Possible B1/B2 revocations
- The administration has reportedly prepared to revoke as many as 200,000 business and tourist visas held by asylum applicants.
- Other court ruling
- A federal court recently struck down the suspension of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries.