Trump’s New $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Confusion, Concern Among Immigrants and Tech Industry:

In a sudden and controversial move, former President Donald Trump has introduced a sweeping change to the U.S. immigration system, announcing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. The measure, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday, has sparked uncertainty among immigrant workers and U.S. businesses, especially in the tech sector that relies heavily on skilled foreign talent. The Trump administration clarified that the hefty new fee will only apply to new applicants and not affect current H-1B visa holders or renewals. "Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside the country will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). She emphasized that the rule “does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to/from the U.S.” Still, the announcement, made with less than 48 hours' notice, has created what immigration experts are calling “chaos.” Industry and Legal Experts Raise Alarms Immigration attorneys and industry leaders are warning of serious disruptions. Kathleen Campbell Walker, a prominent immigration attorney with Dickinson Wright, described the policy on LinkedIn as “inserting total chaos into the existing H-1B process with basically a day’s notice.” Technology companies, in particular, are concerned. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations like IT, engineering, and healthcare — fields that often face domestic skill shortages. The sharp increase in costs could discourage businesses from hiring foreign talent and worsen existing labor gaps. Wealthy Immigrants Offered $1 Million “Gold Card” In a separate announcement, Trump also revealed a new “Gold Card” visa program, offering residency to wealthy individuals willing to invest $1 million or more in the United States. Critics argue that this move highlights a shift toward a wealth-based immigration model, sidelining skilled professionals who do not have the financial resources to pay large upfront fees. Both the H-1B fee and the Gold Card visa are expected to face legal challenges, with immigration experts warning that Trump may be overstepping his executive authority by bypassing Congress to implement such significant immigration changes. Global Reactions and Humanitarian Concerns The move has drawn international attention, especially from India, which sends the largest number of H-1B workers to the United States. India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying the policy is under review. “This measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families,” the ministry warned, urging U.S. authorities to address the potential fallout. The policy is set to remain in place for one year, but the White House has indicated it could be extended “if determined to be in the national interest.” As uncertainty looms, immigration attorneys recommend that businesses and visa applicants consult legal experts immediately to understand how the changes might impact them.

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