Overview
- Vice President JD Vance said Thursday he would support eliminating the H‑1B visa program and described it as “completely broken,” saying employers have used it to replace higher‑paid American workers.
- The administration has pursued steep financial deterrents, including a separate attempted $100,000 fee that federal judges have blocked and a proposed Department of Homeland Security rule that would charge $103,265 per cap‑subject petition that is still in rulemaking.
- USCIS says the proposed $103,265 charge is meant to recover government adjudication and vetting costs, while industry groups, health providers and state officials warn the fee would worsen staffing shortages and harm competitiveness.
- Vance framed the push as a response to long‑running employer abuse, gave examples of lower‑paid foreign hires replacing U.S. staff, and urged the public to press Congress to change or eliminate the program.
- Policy outcomes now depend on ongoing litigation and congressional action, with courts already blocking key fee moves and employers, hospitals and tech firms warning of tangible labor and economic impacts if restrictions or elimination proceed.