$100k employer payment now conditions H-1B entry

"On Friday, President Trump signed a presidential proclamation to sharply raise the cost of employing H-1B workers by restricting entry unless employers make a $100,000 payment with the petition."

"The "Restriction on entry of certain nonimmigrant workers" proclamation accuses companies of abusing the existing visa program by hiring H-1B staff while laying off domestic workers and, in some cases, having staff train their replacements."

"It restricts the entry of H-1B workers unless the employer pays $100,000 with the petition, and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to restrict decisions on petitions for beneficiaries outside the US if the payment isn't made, with exemptions possible."

"if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines, in the Secretary's discretion, that the hiring of such aliens to be employed as H-1B specialty occupation workers is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States."

A presidential proclamation imposes a $100,000 payment requirement on employers petitioning for H-1B workers and restricts entry of beneficiaries without that payment. The Secretary of Homeland Security is directed to limit decisions on petitions for beneficiaries outside the United States if the payment is not made, while allowing possible exemptions. The policy takes effect on September 21 and lasts 12 months unless extended. The proclamation cites unnamed technology companies hiring H-1B workers amid domestic layoffs and alleges visa-related criminal schemes. A national-interest exemption permits discretionary relief for certain employers deemed not to threaten security or welfare.

Read at Theregister