Trump extends push for $100,000 H-1B visas by another year

•1mo ago

Trump extends push for $100,000 H-1B visas by another year

Tap title to read story

0:00 / 1:08

U.S. President Donald Trump has extended his executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B foreign worker visa applications for an additional year, keeping the measure in place until September 21, 2027. Announced by the White House, the extension aims to protect domestic employment and curb corporate reliance on lower-paid foreign labor. The administration reported that the initial policy, introduced in September 2025, drastically reduced H-1B registrations from major IT outsourcing firms. However, the fee's practical enforcement remains tied up in federal courts following a June 2026 ruling by a Massachusetts federal judge who blocked the fee as an unlawful tax, a decision currently under appeal. Concurrently, a new executive order directs federal departments to heighten scrutiny on sponsoring employers by evaluating recent or planned layoffs of similarly situated American workers. Business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, continue to challenge these restrictions.

Published 2026-09-19 08:12:15 UTC · Published by JQJO

Prepared by Neha R. · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On June 19, 1990 (12:00 AM), Congress officially created the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program.
On September 19, 2025 (12:00 PM), President Trump issued the initial proclamation levying a $100,000 fee.
On December 19, 2025 (12:00 PM), the Department of Homeland Security finalized a wage-weighted lottery system.
On June 19, 2026 (12:00 PM), a federal judge in Massachusetts struck down the fee requirement.
On September 9, 2026 (12:00 PM), new response fees took effect for certain large employer extension petitions.
On September 19, 2026 (8:00 AM), President Trump signed a proclamation extending the fee through September 2027.
On September 19, 2026 (8:44 AM), the White House released factsheets detailing increased scrutiny on corporate layoffs.
On September 19, 2026 (9:00 AM), the Department of Labor initiated a 30-day review of labor condition applications.
On September 19, 2026 (10:00 AM), the U.S. government pursued active appeals through the federal court system.
On September 21, 2027 (12:00 PM), the newly extended H-1B fee proclamation is officially scheduled to expire.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: Tech employers face strict visa fee extensions and hiring hurdles. Possible long-term US impact: Reduced foreign labor reliance may permanently reshape corporate tech recruitment. Most affected groups: Tech companies, outsourcing firms, and foreign professionals seeking U.S. employment. Reader Priorities: Tracking federal court appeal rulings and official immigration compliance guidance updates.

Coverage notes

Left: Framing emphasizes legal challenges and corporate disruptions to tech hiring. Center: Framing focuses neutrally on policy extension terms and court battles. Right: Framing highlights worker protection measures and crackdown on visa abuse.