Walmart pauses H-1B visas for job candidates as Trump hikes fees

Core Points - Walmart is pausing the hiring of job candidates requiring H-1B visas, reflecting the impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies on corporate strategies [1][2] - The decision follows President Trump's announcement of increased fees for H-1B visas, which are now set at $100,000 per application, aimed at protecting American jobs and preventing visa abuse [2][6] - Walmart's corporate workforce primarily operates from its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and major U.S. cities, with H-1B visa holders representing a small fraction of its total workforce [4][5] Company Specifics - Walmart is the largest employer in the U.S., with approximately 1.6 million employees, most of whom work in retail and warehouse positions [4] - As of June 30, Walmart employed 2,390 individuals on H-1B visas, ranking it as the ninth largest U.S. employer utilizing this visa category [5] - The company has stated its commitment to hiring top talent while being cautious about its H-1B hiring approach, with potential exceptions to the hiring pause [3][4] Industry Context - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the new H-1B visa fee, arguing it could hinder U.S. employers, particularly startups and small to midsize businesses, from accessing global talent [6] - The H-1B visa program was established to help American businesses of all sizes recruit necessary global talent for growth [6]