US Immigration Policy Changes Spark H-1B Visa Cost Surge, Naturalization Overhaul, TPS Termination

Recent developments in U.S. immigration policy have caused significant concern and adjustments within immigrant communities and employers. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in South Dakota canceled cultural events like the Latino Festival and Parade to protect the community from ICE raids, highlighting heightened fears among immigrants. Voices for Peace, a nonprofit, continues to provide free legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children and advocates for immigrant rights. Meanwhile, the U.S. administration implemented a dramatic increase in H-1B visa fees to $100,000 per petition, a move that has disrupted employers and foreign professionals relying on these visas for specialty occupations, with economic impacts felt nationwide. There is growing recognition of the need to reform legal immigration to create a more efficient, fair, and accessible system that meets economic demands, with calls to welcome both highly educated workers and manual laborers. These issues are part of broader immigration enforcement and policy trends that include increased scrutiny on employers sponsoring overseas workers, as seen in recent UK immigration enforcement actions.