Imagine you're a coding wizard dreaming of Silicon Valley… Suddenly, you hit a $100,000 wall just for your visa! 😱💻💸
Last Friday, a coalition of unions, university professors, a nurse recruitment agency, and religious groups filed a federal lawsuit in San Francisco to stop President Trump's plan to slap a $100K fee on new H-1B visas. ⚖️🏛️
The H-1B program allows U.S. companies – especially in tech – to hire specialized foreign workers. Typically, sponsors pay between $2,000 and $5,000 in fees. Trump's proclamation ups the ante, banning new H-1B holders from entering the U.S. unless their employer pays to play with an extra six-figure sum. 💼💲
Plaintiffs argue the president can't override the original law that set up the H-1B program or unilaterally impose new fees. That power belongs to Congress. They warn the plan could lead to selective enforcement and even corruption through national interest exemptions decided by the Secretary of Homeland Security. 👀📜
Every year, the H-1B program offers 65,000 visas for specialty workers and 20,000 more for those with advanced degrees. Visas last three to six years, fueling innovation in industries from AI to healthcare. 🤖🩺
With the lawsuit in motion, the next stop is the courtroom – where judges will decide if this mega-fee sticks or gets struck down. Stay tuned for the next episode in this high-stakes visa drama! 🎬⚡
Reference(s):
Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas challenged in lawsuit
cgtn.com
