The Morning Brief Trump’s $100k H-1B Fee and the New Age of Migration Controls
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Sep 23, 2025 In this discussion, Poorvi Chothani, founder of LawQuest and immigration law expert, shares insights on the legal and human rights implications of Trump's new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, impacting U.S. tech companies and professionals. Ranabir Samaddar, a political scientist and migration theorist, situates these policies within historical and racial contexts, examining how they transform global migration trends. Together, they explore the tension between economic factors and identity politics in today's anti-immigration climate.
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Shock Of A $100k H‑1B Fee
- The proclamation hikes the H-1B sponsor fee to $100,000 for new petitions for one year, intended to ensure only very highly skilled hires arrive.
- The immediate confusion showed how dependent firms and employees are on predictable visa rules.
Immediate Panic And Rapid Clarification
- Companies sent memos ordering immigrant employees abroad to return immediately amid fears no H‑1B holder would be allowed into the US.
- The White House clarified hours later the fee applies only to new petitions and is valid for one year.
Part Of A Wider Anti‑Immigration Wave
- The move against H‑1B visas reflects a broader global anti-immigration wave in several Western countries.
- Governments are quietly adding regulations that make immigration tougher beyond one headline policy.