The Trump Administration Released a Proposal On Tuesday That Would Rework The H-1B Visa Selection Process to Favor Higher-Skilled and Better-Paid Workers, Access to a Related Federal Register Notice, A Move That Follows A White House Proclamation On Friday Introducing a A Introducing a A Introducing a A Introducing AA Introducing A Folding Introducing A Foldy Introducing A Foldy Introducing A Feard Introducing $100,000 Fairy Tales For visas.
The notice said that if the finalized new procedure would make the employer’s application larger, an application for paying a high wage should the annual visa requirement exceed the statutory limit.
Its move is designed to better protect Americans from unfair wage competition from foreign workers.
President Donald Trump launched a widespread immigration crackdown after taking office in January, including pushing for mass deportations and attempts to block illegal citizenship of immigrant children in the United States.
His administration has strengthened its focus on the H-1B program in recent days, which is popular with technology and outsourcing companies to hire skilled foreign workers. The Trump administration said Friday it would require companies to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B visas.
Some big tech companies warn visa holders to stay in the U.S. or return quickly, sparking a chaotic fight to return to the U.S. The White House later clarified that the fee only applies to new visas.
Planning regulations scheduled for release on Tuesday will change the existing lottery process to obtain visas, creating a salary tier if demand exceeds supply in a given year, in which case high-paying jobs will have a better chance of being selected.
The process of determining regulations can take months or even years. The notice shows that the 2026 lottery can set new rules, which means before the March registration period.
Republican Trump tried to reshape the H-1B process during his presidency from 2017-2021, but was troubled by federal courts and limited time at the end of his presidency.
Similar regulations aimed at moving the lottery process to high-paying applicants were postponed by Trump’s Democratic preface, Joe Biden, before they could take effect in March 2021. It was subsequently blocked by a federal judge in September 2021 and withdrawn by the Biden administration for three months.
The notice said that starting from the 2026 fiscal year, the total wages paid to H-1B workers will increase to $502 million from October 1.
It said wages will grow by $1 billion in fiscal 2027, $1.5 billion in fiscal 2028 and $200 million in fiscal 2029-2035.
The Department of Homeland Security said an estimated 5,200 small businesses currently receiving H-1B visas will have a significant economic impact due to labor losses.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which issued the proposal, will comment to the public for 30 days on Wednesday, the notice said.
Visa allows U.S. companies to hire skilled workers to fill talent gaps and stay competitive. Supporters of the program include Elon Musk, a naturalized American citizen born in South Africa, who personally Helf and H-1B visas.
Critics argue that these plans allow companies to curb wages and side jobs Americans who can work.
India is The biggest beneficiary According to government data, H-1B visas accounted for 71% of the beneficiaries last year, while China was in the second place in 11.7%.
The H-1B program provides 65,000 visas to employers each year, who bring temporary foreign workers into the field of expertise, with an additional 20,000 visa visas for workers with advanced degrees.
