$100, 000 H-1B Visa Fee: US Business Groups Raise Alarm

The $100,000 fee for H-1B visa program newly announced by the government of Donald Trump is attracting wide concerns and criticisms.

A coalition of business groups, in a latest reaction, after duly analysing the new policy, warned the president of dire consequences.

The about 12-member coalition, which forwarded its letter of concern to President Trump, did not however fail to acknowledge the administration’s efforts aimed at attracting investments.

Business Software Alliance, the semiconductor industry’s SEMI, the National Retail Federation, the Entertainment Software Association and the Information Technology Industry Council, all in the coaltion, however expressed concerns about the H-1B visa applications.

“We ask the administration to work with industry on necessary reforms to the H-1B visa program without increasing the significant challenges US employers face recruiting, training, and retaining top talent,” a Bloomberg report mentions the coalition as stating.

“The new approach to H-1B visas, as it stands, will harm the Administration’s goals to ensure the US remains a leader in AI, revitalizes manufacturing growth, and propels US-developed energy,” they added.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement justifying the administration’s position on the issue has reportedly stated that:

“Widespread visa abuse not only undermines American workers, but undermines the companies” that need to recruit first-class talent,

The administration of Trump had announced the H-1B changes at the White House last month, heralding the $100,000 fee as a way to rein in abuses in the skilled worker program while pushing US companies to turn more to domestic talent to fill jobs.

As far as the White House is concerned, the H-1B visa program would help US companies access top talent while reducing fallout from “fraudulent practices by bad-faith actors.

“Widespread visa abuse not only undermines American workers, but undermines the companies” that need to recruit first-class talent, White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.

The concerns are not misplaced, given for example that the skilled workers program has more or less guratenteed supply of needed manpower for US industries.

“The new approach to H-1B visas, as it stands, will harm the Administration’s goals to ensure the US remains a leader in AI, revitalizes manufacturing growth, and propels US-developed energy,” the groups wrote.

Representatives from Walmart, Target Corp. and Macy’s Inc. are part of the NRF’s executive committee and board. The federation didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Walmart is among major users of H-1B visas in the US along with tech giants and consulting companies. After Trump announced the $100,000 fee, several major companies urged employees holding the visa not to leave the US.

The letter emphasized that each of the industries represented “stand ready to work with the administration” to change the H-1B program. Copies of the letter were also shared with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.