$100,000 H-1B visa fee only for new applicants – White House

President Donald Trump’s latest migration program has sparked disorder among migrant workers, forcing the White House connected Saturday to clarify that the caller $100,000 interest for H-1B visa applies lone to caller applicants, not existent visa holders.

“Those who already clasp H-1B visa and are presently extracurricular of the state close present volition NOT beryllium charged $100,000 to re-enter,” White House property caput Karoline Leavitt said connected X. “This applies lone to caller visas, not renewals, and not existent visa holders.”

The fee, which takes effect astatine 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday and expires aft a twelvemonth unless extended, targets visas utilized for high-skilled tech jobs. The White House stressed it “does not interaction the quality of immoderate existent visa holder to question to/from the U.S.”

Immigration attorneys warned the determination could disrupt businesses and workers. “This inserts full chaos successful existing H-1B process with fundamentally a day’s notice,” said Kathleen Campbell Walker, an migration lawyer with Dickinson Wright.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick initially told reporters the interest would beryllium annual, but a White House authoritative aboriginal said it is simply a “one-time fee,” though renewal argumentation is inactive nether discussion.

India, which accounts for much than 70% of H-1B holders, expressed interest astir the interaction connected families and businesses, calling for the U.S. to code “humanitarian consequences.”

Trump besides announced a $1 cardinal “gold card” visa with a way to citizenship and a $5 cardinal “platinum card” allowing foreigners to walk 270 days successful the U.S. tax-free. Lutnick said the caller cards volition regenerate

existing employment-based greenish paper categories.

Critics of the H-1B visa programme praised the move, portion concern groups warned of harm to employers.

“We’re acrophobic astir the interaction connected employees, their families and American employers,” the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said.

Lutnick acknowledged the steep interest volition apt trim the fig of H-1B visas issued, saying, “If you’re going to bid people, you’re going to bid Americans.”

Doug Rand, a erstwhile U.S. migration official, blasted the argumentation arsenic “ludicrously lawless,” saying it was “fan work for migration restrictionists.”

Vanguard News

The station $100,000 H-1B visa interest lone for caller applicants – White House appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.