Lawmakers, Chamber Oppose Trump's $100K H-1B Visa Fee Plan

President Donald Trump's administration has introduced a $100,000 annual fee for new H-1B visa applicants, a move that has sparked bipartisan opposition and controversy. Three Republican lawmakers joined three Democrats in urging Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to reconsider the fee, citing concerns from technology innovators that the cost is prohibitively expensive for early-stage employers and small companies, potentially stifling innovation and competition. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the fee is an unlawful barrier to global talent and exceeds the authority granted by immigration law. While some major tech leaders have expressed optimism, many early-stage founders and venture capitalists fear the fee will undermine small companies. Lawmakers have called for a collaborative approach with Congress to reform the high-skilled immigration system, suggesting alternatives like restrictions on outsourcing firms and revising visa eligibility and enforcement. The Chamber of Commerce also criticizes the administration's broader immigration reforms, advocating for increased visa availability and amnesty for certain undocumented individuals, highlighting ongoing tensions between immigration policy and economic interests.