Overview
- Pressed by Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, President Trump said the United States lacks “certain talents” and must “bring in talent,” citing complex manufacturing roles that cannot be filled immediately by unemployed workers.
- Trump also defended foreign students, arguing that large cuts would financially damage U.S. universities and could push some institutions out of business.
- The administration’s September proclamation imposes a $100,000 charge on specified new H-1B petitions, which the White House says is a one-time fee that does not apply to current visa holders.
- DHS has proposed tightening the definition of “specialty occupation,” boosting pre‑ and post‑petition site inspections, and curbing third‑party contracting, while the Labor Department pursues at least 175 H-1B abuse investigations.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing to block the new fee, and Trump’s comments have drawn criticism from parts of his base even as he cites the Georgia Hyundai battery‑plant raid to argue some projects require skilled foreign workers.