On Monday, the Trump administration announced two major immigration actions: a Department of Homeland Security fee exceeding $103,000 for H-1B visas and a State Department plan to revoke as many as 200,000 business and travel visas held by people who later applied for asylum. The Associated Press described the latter proposal as potentially the largest mass visa revocation in United States history.
The measures are part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to reduce immigration, including legal pathways. The government has also encouraged some noncitizens to leave voluntarily, while imposing civil penalties in certain cases and creating additional procedural barriers for immigrants already in the country.
H-1B visas allow employers to hire specialized foreign workers and are widely used by major technology companies. A federal judge previously blocked an earlier $100,000 fee increase, although more than 70 employers reportedly paid it before the ruling. Business groups and immigration advocates argue that the proposed $103,265 charge could discourage hiring and push investment overseas. They also worry that similar fees could be applied to Optional Practical Training, a program allowing international graduates to work temporarily in fields related to their studies.
Potential effects extend beyond technology. Rural hospitals and schools, including districts in Alaska, have increasingly relied on skilled foreign workers amid local labor shortages. Critics say sharply higher visa costs could make recruitment financially difficult for these institutions.
Separately, the planned visa revocations would affect people who entered on temporary visas and subsequently sought asylum. The administration says the policy closes a loophole involving visitors who later pursue permanent residence. Opponents note that applicants must be physically present in the United States to request asylum and contend that other humanitarian routes have already narrowed.
Together, the actions signal continued efforts to tighten both employment-based and humanitarian immigration channels nationwide.