Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-09-20 05:14Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration plans to impose a $100,000 fee on new applicants for the H-1B visa program, significantly impacting the tech industry that heavily relies on foreign talent [1][4]. Group 1: Impact on the Tech Industry - The reform is expected to particularly affect the tech sector, which is heavily dependent on H-1B visas [4]. - The White House claims that the replacement of American workers with lower-paid foreign labor is suppressing wage levels and poses a "national security threat" [4][5]. - Major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Tesla are among the largest users of H-1B visas [5]. Group 2: H-1B Visa Statistics - According to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Amazon received over 10,000 H-1B visa approvals in 2025, while Microsoft and Meta each received over 5,000 approvals [6]. - The H-1B program was established in 1990 and is the primary pathway for high-skilled foreign workers to come to the U.S., with India being the largest beneficiary, accounting for 71% of approvals last year [1][6]. Group 3: Internal Government Disagreements - There are reported divisions within the Trump administration regarding the H-1B program, with some supporters believing it allows foreign workers to take high-paying jobs from Americans [7][8]. - The director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, has expressed skepticism about the program and previously considered prioritizing higher-paid applicants, although this proposal was ultimately shelved [8]. Group 4: Implementation Challenges - The specifics of how the $100,000 fee will be managed and who it will apply to remain unclear, and the legality of the policy may face challenges [9][10]. - Typically, new visa fees must be set by Congress or through a formal regulatory process, which can take months, raising concerns about the potential for legal action if implemented directly via presidential announcement [10].