Overview

• As of September 21, employers must pay a $100,000 surcharge for new H‑1B petitions, a sharp jump from prior filing costs that were typically in the low thousands.
• India-focused coverage says the change could sharply limit U.S. career pathways for Indian graduates, while one American tech worker claimed the policy helped him get hired and a labor letter alleged the program enables exploitation and displacement.
• Senator Chuck Grassley urged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to stop issuing work authorizations to student visa holders, citing competition with Americans and risks of corporate and technology espionage.
• A Washington Monthly analysis argues the fee functions as a de facto ban likely to spur offshoring and weaken U.S. competitiveness, citing research linking H‑1B hiring to more patenting, stronger firm survival and wage gains for employees.
• New Data for Progress polling finds 50% of likely voters disapprove of the $100,000 fee, while majorities view highly skilled immigration as beneficial and favor keeping it the same or increasing it.