Mon Sep 22 03:50:00 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the text:**

President Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applicants. The H-1B visa program allows US companies to employ skilled foreign workers, particularly in tech. Supporters, including the current administration, justify the fee by claiming that some companies use H-1B visas to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Opponents claim that there simply are not enough qualified US candidates to fill jobs in some sectors, like technology. The H-1B is valid for three years and can be extended, with many eventually being sponsored for a green card. The new fee will go into effect Sept. 21, facing the possibility of legal challenges. The fee has caused confusion due to conflicting information about if it is a one-time or yearly charge. Critics of the visa program believe it can depress wages for American workers. The tech industry, which relies heavily on H-1B workers, is poised to be especially affected by this fee.

**Here’s a rewritten news article:**

**Trump Administration Adds $100,000 Fee to H-1B Visas, Sparking Debate**

**Washington D.C.** – President Trump signed a proclamation Friday imposing a $100,000 fee on new applications for H-1B visas, a program that allows U.S. companies to employ skilled foreign workers. The administration justifies the measure as a way to discourage companies from allegedly replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign labor.

The H-1B visa, primarily utilized by the tech industry for positions like software engineers, has long been a point of contention. Critics claim the program depresses wages for American workers and displaces them from their jobs. Conversely, supporters say the visa is essential for filling specialized roles where qualified American candidates are scarce.

“No more will these big tech companies or other companies train foreign workers,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated. “They have to pay the government $100,000, then they have to pay the employee – so it’s just not economic.”

The new fee, slated to take effect on Sept. 21, is expected to face legal challenges. There has also been confusion surrounding whether the fee is a one-time payment or an annual charge.

The move is likely to significantly impact the tech sector, which relies heavily on H-1B visa holders. Companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and IBM are among the top employers of H-1B workers.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern about the potential “humanitarian consequences” for families of H-1B visa holders. The visas allow spouses and children to live in the U.S. with the primary visa holder.

The announcement has created uncertainty and concern across various industries, highlighting the ongoing debate over immigration policy and its impact on the U.S. economy.

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