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Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Backlash from Tech Industry
Trump’s new $100K H-1B visa fee faces fierce criticism from tech leaders who warn it could cripple startups, drive talent abroad, and spark chaos for global workers.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-09-22
Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Backlash from Tech Industry

U.S. President Donald Trump’s new order to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B skilled worker visas has triggered widespread condemnation from the technology sector, with executives, entrepreneurs, and investors warning that the move could harm innovation, startups, and the U.S. labor market.

The policy, unveiled in a confusing set of announcements late Friday, would require firms to pay $100,000 per H-1B visa. The White House later clarified that the fee would be applied only once — not annually — and would not affect existing visa holders, including those abroad at the time of the announcement.

H-1B visas are widely used by major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta to recruit highly skilled foreign workers, especially from India and China. Critics argue that the hefty new cost could cripple startups unable to compete financially with large corporations.

“America’s edge has always been that we attract smart, ambitious people from everywhere,” said Esther Crawford, a Meta executive. “High-skilled immigrants don’t take from us — they build with us.”

The sudden announcement also caused confusion at airports, with some travelers abandoning flights or rushing home on company advice before clarifications were issued.

Prominent AI expert Andrew Ng expressed concern: “America should be working to attract more skilled talent, not create uncertainty that turns them away.”

While many in Silicon Valley slammed the decision, a few prominent voices welcomed it. IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn described the move as a “good idea” to ensure visas go to the most valuable skillsets, while Netflix Chairman Reed Hastings said higher costs would make visas more selective and stable.

Economists at Berenberg, however, warned the visa fee could weigh heavily on U.S. productivity: “By making it very expensive for companies to attract foreign talent, and by forcing international students to leave after graduation, the brain drain will weigh heavily on the economy.”

The controversy comes amid broader Trump administration crackdowns on immigration, including raids on undocumented workers and stepped-up border enforcement. Analysts caution that the latest visa fee hike may fuel further instability, drive companies to expand operations abroad, and deter top global talent from choosing the United States.
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Donald trump

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