Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Oct 24: The White House on Friday stood firmly behind the Trump administration’s controversial decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, asserting that the move is a lawful step toward protecting American workers and reforming the nation’s immigration system.
Speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration would fight the lawsuits filed against the policy, including one by the US Chamber of Commerce, which has challenged the new fee.
“The administration will fight these lawsuits in court. The president’s main priority has always been to put American workers first and strengthen our visa system,” Leavitt said.
She further alleged that the H-1B visa system has been “spammed with fraud,” leading to suppressed wages for American employees. “The president wants to refine this system. These actions are lawful, necessary, and will be defended in court,” she added.
The US Chamber of Commerce, representing thousands of businesses, argued that the hefty $100,000 fee would make the programme “cost-prohibitive” for employers who rely on skilled foreign professionals, particularly in the tech industry.
Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer of the Chamber, stated, “The fee will make it cost-prohibitive for American employers to use the programme,” warning it could harm innovation and competitiveness.
The fee, introduced through an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in September, has sparked strong criticism from tech leaders and policy experts. Critics argue that the H-1B visa programme — widely used by both major technology firms and small startups — is essential for attracting global talent to the US.
The White House, however, defended the decision, calling the fee a “necessary, initial step toward broader reforms” to curb misuse of the visa system.
The move has also drawn reactions from within the business community, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a long-time Trump ally, who voiced concern that the change could deter highly skilled professionals from choosing the United States.
As legal battles unfold, the new policy has reignited the debate over the balance between safeguarding domestic jobs and maintaining America’s global edge in innovation and technology.