Trump's plan to charge $100,000 for new H-1B visas is met with dismay by CEOs who want the world's top talent | Fortune

"Elon Musk has noted that he is in the U.S. because of the H-1B visa. I came to the U.S. on one, too. So did Melania Trump. Odds are high that none of us would have been able to work here, had it cost our employers $100,000 a pop. Donald Trump's decision to dramatically raise the cost of this key visa for foreign workers caused chaos over the weekend, followed by mild relief that existing holders are exempt."

"Tech and consulting giants will bear the brunt of this cost-Amazon alone would have had to pay more than $1 billion had that fee been charged for its visa holders-but thousands of smaller companies and startups rely on the program. It will no doubt be challenged in court as new visa fees are typically the domain of Congress but, for now, the fee stands."

"The system needs reform-I was surprised to hear a veteran tech leader agree with the White House contention that the H-1B has made it too easy for U.S. companies to hire entry-level foreign talent rather than look for workers at home. "A lottery is not a meritocracy," he told me. "Companies have been using these visas to displace American workers. That's just a fact." With Gen Z struggling to find work, something had to give."

Donald Trump's proposal would dramatically raise H-1B visa fees, creating high employer costs and immediate disruption. Existing H-1B holders are exempt, but businesses face widespread confusion about operational and financial impacts. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is receiving numerous requests and engaging with the Administration and members to assess implications. Tech and consulting giants would bear the largest burden, with Amazon alone facing more than $1 billion in fees, while many smaller companies and startups also depend on the program. Legal challenges are likely because new visa fees normally fall under Congress, yet the fee currently stands. A debate emerged about reform, with some leaders saying the lottery system displaces American workers. Foreign workers fuel innovation.

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