Trump Backs Proposed H-1B Fee in Labor Day Push to Prioritize U.S. Workers
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump used his Labor Day proclamation to promote a proposed new fee on H-1B visa petitions, saying the measure would encourage U.S. companies to invest in American workers before hiring talent from overseas.
“To ensure we are hiring and training American workers, we are proposing a new fee on H-1B visa petitions that will encourage companies to invest in qualified Americans before looking overseas for labour,” Trump said in the proclamation Monday.
The endorsement placed the politically sensitive H-1B visa program directly into Trump’s Labor Day message, which focused heavily on manufacturing, trade, tariffs and protecting American jobs.
The H-1B program is widely used by U.S. technology companies and other employers to hire highly skilled foreign professionals. Indian nationals have historically made up the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries, making changes to the program closely watched in India and among Indian professionals in the United States.
The fee referenced by Trump was not imposed Monday. The Department of Homeland Security last month proposed establishing a $103,265 fee for H-1B petitions subject to the annual numerical cap, including those eligible for the advanced-degree exemption.
Under the proposed rule, the fee would be paid when a petition is filed and would be in addition to other applicable immigration fees. The administration says the money would help cover federal costs associated with administering the lawful immigration system.
Trump presented the proposal as part of a broader economic strategy aimed at giving preference to U.S. workers.
“After decades of disastrous trade policies that surrendered our industrial strength to foreign nations, companies are now returning home, investing trillions of dollars into the United States economy, and adding over 900,000 American jobs,” Trump said.
He credited what he called his “protective tariffs” with shielding American workers from foreign competition and said U.S. manufacturing had expanded for six consecutive months.
“Our Nation is entering a bold new era of American manufacturing, technological innovation, and economic prosperity — powered by the might of the American worker,” Trump said.
The proclamation formally designated Sept. 7 as Labor Day and called on Americans to honor the contributions and resilience of workers.
The administration’s latest H-1B proposal follows a separate effort by Trump to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. A federal judge in Massachusetts struck down that fee in June, ruling that the administration had exceeded its authority. A federal appeals court in July rejected the administration’s request to suspend that ruling while the case proceeds.
The proposed $103,265 fee is being pursued through the federal rulemaking process rather than taking immediate effect. It applies to cap-subject H-1B petitions and remains a proposed rule, meaning employers are not being charged the new amount as a result of Trump’s Labor Day proclamation. (Source: IANS)
