A $100,000 Question: Trump’s New Proclamation on H-1B Visas

President Donald J. Trump has thrown a new curveball into America’s immigration system. On September 19, 2025, he signed a proclamation that imposes a $100,000 fee on every new H-1B petition filed after September 21. The move, billed as a way to crack down on abuse and “protect American workers,” could fundamentally change how U.S. companies approach hiring foreign talent.

The order is blunt in its scope. Any new H-1B petition — including those for the 2026 lottery — must be accompanied by a six-figure payment. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State have already been told to coordinate on implementation, and agencies like USCIS and Customs and Border Protection have wasted no time publishing guidance.

The fee does not apply to renewals, previously filed petitions, or travel by current H-1B holders.

In short: the $100,000 is a one-time price tag for anyone trying to file fresh paperwork.

The message behind the proclamation is almost louder than the policy itself. For years, critics have complained that some firms flood the lottery with hundreds of applications, hoping to secure a handful of approvals. That practice just became far pricier. Supporters say the change will force employers to get serious and sponsor only the most valuable candidates.

But not everyone is convinced. Smaller businesses, research institutions, and universities — many of which rely on H-1B talent — could find themselves priced out entirely. For them, $100,000 per filing isn’t a deterrent; it’s a deal-breaker. The White House insists the program should be reserved for “the best of the best.” Skeptics worry it will instead tilt the system toward “the richest of the rich.”

And this is only the first domino. The proclamation tees up future rulemaking at the Department of Labor to raise prevailing wages and at Homeland Security to give lottery priority to higher-paid, higher-skilled applicants. More reforms are expected in the coming months, signaling a push to narrow the H-1B program into a much smaller, elite channel.

Whether this change safeguards U.S. jobs or stifles innovation remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the

H-1B landscape has shifted overnight. Companies that have long depended on foreign workers will have to rethink their strategies, while skilled professionals abroad may suddenly find America a far harder — and more expensive — place to break into.

The article is not legal advice; it is for informational purposes only.

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