Trump's $100,000 H-1B fee could choke off startups' access to AI talent and widen Big Tech's dominance | Fortune
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Trump's $100,000 H-1B fee could choke off startups' access to AI talent and widen Big Tech's dominance | Fortune
"I don't see how these changes will help American workers, and it will for sure hurt the American tech ecosystem, which is powering our economy,"
"won't bother big tech,"
"kneecap startups and bodyshops the same."
The Trump administration imposed a $100,000 H-1B visa fee as part of a broader immigration crackdown. The fee raises hiring costs for U.S. startups and could restrict access to skilled workers from India and China, intensifying pressure on an already strained AI talent pool. Startups may struggle to recruit elite engineers, slowing innovation and experimentation, while large technology firms can absorb the fee and may consolidate top talent. Nine of the top ten companies using H-1B visas are major tech firms, and just under half of H-1B visas in 2025 were designated for professional, scientific, and technical services. The policy risks pushing skilled workers overseas and reducing diversity in research and development.
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