US shifts H-1B selection to higher-paid, skilled applicants
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60-Second Summary
Washington — The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it will replace the H-1B random lottery with a weighted, nationwide selection system that prioritizes higher-skilled, higher-paid applicants, effective Feb. 27, 2026 for the fiscal 2027 registration season. The rule, DHS said, aims to protect wages and working conditions for American workers and will weight registrations by skill and pay. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser described prior exploitation of the lottery by employers seeking lower-paid foreign hires. A federal judge on Dec. 23 also rejected a legal challenge to the administration’s $100,000 H-1B fee. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
About this summary
This 60-second summary was prepared by the JQJO editorial team after reviewing 6 original reports from NewsDrum, 2 News Nevada, The Straits Times, Free Press Journal, Caribbean News Global and Republic World.
Timeline of Events
- Early 2025: Presidential proclamation introduced a $100,000 H-1B fee and a $1M 'gold card' concept.
- Mid–late 2025: Legal and industry challenges filed against the fee and related immigration measures.
- Dec. 23, 2025: DHS/USCIS announced a rule replacing the H-1B random lottery with a weighted selection system.
- Dec. 23, 2025: US District Judge Beryl Howell rejected the US Chamber of Commerce challenge to the $100,000 fee.
- Feb. 27, 2026: The new H-1B rule takes effect for the fiscal 2027 registration season; registrations expected March 2026.
- Articles Published:
- 6
- Right Leaning:
- 2
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 4
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 67%, Right 33%
Employers offering higher-paid, higher-skilled positions, higher-paid foreign applicants and domestic workers seeking wage protections benefit from increased prioritization of skill and pay in H-1B selections.
Lower-wage H-1B applicants, employers relying on entry-level foreign hires, and some small businesses face reduced selection odds and potentially higher hiring costs.
After reading and researching latest news, the DHS announced a Feb. 27, 2026 shift from a randomized H‑1B lottery to a weighted system prioritizing higher-paid, higher-skilled applicants; the change coincides with court rulings upholding a $100,000 H‑1B fee and affects employer hiring.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
No left-leaning sources found for this story.
From Center
US shifts H-1B selection to higher-paid, skilled applicants
NewsDrum 2 News Nevada The Straits Times Free Press JournalFrom Right
DHS changes process for awarding H-1B Work Visas to better protect American workers - Caribbean News Global
Caribbean News Global Republic World
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