Morning Brew Daily $100K H1-B Visa Fee Upends Tech Sector & Murdochs Involved in TikTok Deal?
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Sep 22, 2025 A new $100K H1-B visa fee has tech companies in a frenzy, while details of a potential TikTok deal featuring big names like Murdoch and Dell emerge. Meanwhile, Americans are turning to Hamburger Helper as a budget-friendly meal option. The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate quirky scientific achievements, including odd experiments like using painted cows to fend off flies. Lastly, what to keep an eye on in the upcoming week wraps up the discussion.
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Sudden $100K H‑1B Fee Sparks Panic
- The Trump administration added a $100,000 annual fee to H-1B visas, triggering immediate chaos across tech.
- The rule went into effect right after midnight, forcing companies to scramble to protect employees already abroad.
Engineer Spends $8K To Beat The Deadline
- Companies advised H-1B employees to return before the fee deadline, creating frantic travel.
- One engineer told the BBC he spent $8,000 to fly back to the U.S. from India for a family wedding.
Policy Aims Versus Economic Tradeoffs
- President Trump frames the fee as prioritizing American workers over foreign H-1B holders.
- Economists warn the move could hobble competitiveness by restricting access to global tech talent.