Washington joins lawsuit opposing $100K fee for H-1B visas allowing foreign STEM and medical workers
Washington state is suing the Trump administration over a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, arguing it's arbitrary and harms key industries.Summary
Washington state has joined a lawsuit challenging a $100,000 fee imposed by the Trump administration on new H-1B visas. Attorneys general from 20 states argue the fee is unreasonably high and was implemented without proper procedure. The H-1B visa program allows companies to employ highly-skilled foreign workers in fields like STEM and medicine. Companies like Amazon and Microsoft, as well as Washington’s universities, rely heavily on these visas, employing thousands of H-1B holders. The state warns that the increased fee will hinder innovation and competitiveness, particularly in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and medical fields. Critics of the fee point out that H-1B workers typically earn high salaries – around $120,000 annually – and fill critical skill gaps. The Trump administration justified the fee increase by claiming the program was being abused to replace American workers with cheaper labor, a claim disputed by many in the tech industry and immigration advocacy groups. Experts suggest the issue highlights the need for broader immigration reform.
(Source：Geekwire)