Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Krishnamoorthi warns $100,000 H-1B fee could hurt US competitiveness
The United States has a special visa called the H-1B that lets smart workers from other countries come and work, especially in technology jobs.
President Donald Trump wants companies to pay a big fee of $100,000 for each new H-1B visa.
A congressman named Raja Krishnamoorthi thinks this is a bad idea.
He says the fee is like a big tax on very skilled workers.
He worries that companies will not want to pay so much money.
Instead, they might move the jobs to other countries.
That would mean fewer good jobs in America.
He also says America needs the best talent from all over the world to stay competitive.
Krishnamoorthi also said the president is making people feel scared about minority communities.
He wants the legal immigration system to be fixed so America can keep attracting talented workers.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi warned the proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas could hurt US competitiveness.
He said companies may choose to offshore work overseas instead of bringing skilled professionals into the US.
Krishnamoorthi described the fee as effectively a '$100,000 tax' on highly skilled workers in specialized technical roles.
Indian nationals received 71% of all H-1B visas in fiscal year 2024, according to the interview.
Krishnamoorthi also accused President Donald Trump of 'normalization of hate' toward minority communities.
- Who
- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian-American Democrat from Illinois, who criticized a fee proposed by President Donald Trump.
- What
- A warning that the proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas could hurt US competitiveness and push jobs overseas.
- When
- During an episode of the Spill the Tea interview series; the exact date was not stated in the article.
- Where
- United States, in the context of federal immigration policy.
- Why
- Because the higher cost of hiring foreign skilled workers could prompt companies to relocate operations outside the US and weaken America's ability to attract top talent.
- Proposed fee
- $100,000 on new H-1B visas
- Fee proposer
- President Donald Trump
- Critic
- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois)
- H-1B visas to Indian nationals (FY2024)
- 71%
- Krishnamoorthi's characterization
- A '$100,000 tax' on skilled workers
- Forum
- Spill the Tea interview series
- Key warning
- Companies may offshore work instead of onshoring talent
- Additional criticism
- Accused Trump of 'normalization of hate'