The Trump administration has released a proposed regulation to codify a fee of $103,265 on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The Department of Homeland Security posted the proposal online in the Federal Register on Monday, with formal publication scheduled for Tuesday to begin a 30-day public comment period.
This proposed fee is more expansive than previous attempts, as it applies to individuals hired within the United States. The administration is moving forward with this measure after a more limited six-figure charge on workers from outside the country was blocked by a federal appeals court.
President Trump and other critics of the H-1B program claim that the initiative is exploited by companies seeking to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. These visas are heavily relied upon in the tech, education, and research sectors.