H1B Visas: The Next Trump Immigration Rule Aiming to Restrict H-1B Visas

"In a move that's sending shockwaves through the tech and education sectors, the Trump administration has introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants. The unprecedented levy, announced in September, has left many employers and international students scrambling to adapt.
As Stuart Anderson, a senior contributor to Forbes, notes, "The Trump administration plans to publish a new H-1B rule expected to propose additional immigration restrictions on how employers use the visa and who qualifies for it." This rule, dubbed "Reforming the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program," aims to crack down on what the administration sees as abuse of the program.
But what does this mean for the thousands of K-12 public school districts that rely on H-1B visa holders to fill teaching positions? According to a new analysis by the National Education Association, over 500 districts employed more than 2,300 H-1B visa holders nationwide during fiscal year 2025. "By putting a $100,000 price tag on it, you are essentially making it impossible for schools to afford hiring international teachers," says an NEA spokesperson.
Meanwhile, international students who graduate from college and seek to stay in the US via an H-1B visa are facing an uncertain future. "Those who stick around often choose to stay in the country for either a year or two years via a STEM OPT," explains Anjum Alam, senior news reporter at The Daily Texan. "But with this new fee, many are wondering if they'll be able to afford to stay."
The impact of this crackdown is already being felt in cities like Charlotte, where employers and students are bracing for the worst. "This is a sucker punch to the community," says Elvis Menayese, a reporter at WFAE. "Many international students are now facing an uncertain future, and it's unclear how they'll be able to afford the new fee."
As the Trump administration presses ahead with its H-1B visa reforms, one thing is clear: the consequences will be far-reaching. Will this crackdown on foreign talent lead to a brain drain, or will it drive innovation and growth in the US? Only time will tell.",
"tags": ["h1b visas", "trump administration", "immigration reform"]
}