Trump defends H-1B visas despite $100K fee hike for foreign specialists
US President Donald Trump has defended the H-1B visa programme, despite his administration's recent crackdown on the scheme. The programme allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialist occupations.
In October 2025, Trump introduced a significant increase in the application fee for H-1B visas, from $4,000 to $100,000. This move aimed to discourage US companies from hiring foreign specialists instead of domestic workers.
However, in a recent statement, Trump argued that the USA still needs foreign talent in certain industries. He dismissed the argument that there is plenty of domestic talent available, stating, 'No, you don't.' He explained that certain skills are not readily available among US citizens, using the example of hiring someone off the unemployment line to work in a missile factory.
Despite the fee increase, Trump maintains that the H-1B visa programme is necessary for the USA to access specific skills not widely available among its domestic workforce. The programme's future remains a topic of debate amidst ongoing discussions about immigration and workforce policies.
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