President Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications is a mistake that will hurt America more than it helps. The H-1B program brings in highly skilled professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Indian nationals account for nearly 70 percent of all H-1B visas, with more than 285,000 approvals in 2024 alone.
Major U.S. employers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta depend on this talent. By creating such a steep barrier, the United States risks pushing skilled workers to Canada, Europe, or back to India. That weakens American innovation and hands an advantage to competitors.
The Chamber of Commerce has already warned of economic fallout. If the United States wants to remain the world leader in technology and science, it must welcome skilled talent rather than shut it out. This policy should be abandoned before it causes lasting damage.