What To Know
- In a bold stroke of immigration policy, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on September 19, 2025, fundamentally reshaping the H-1B visa program and introducing a controversial “Trump Gold Card” pathway for wealthy foreigners.
- Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta – which secured over 20,000 H-1B approvals in the first half of 2025 alone – are scrambling, while critics decry the changes as a cash grab that undermines U.
- In a parallel order, Trump unveiled the “Gold Card” – a fast-track residency for the ultra-wealthy, Lutnick’s brainchild to “attract extraordinary people.
| September 20, 2025
In a bold stroke of immigration policy, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on September 19, 2025, fundamentally reshaping the H-1B visa program and introducing a controversial “Trump Gold Card” pathway for wealthy foreigners. The moves, aimed at prioritizing American workers while monetizing high-end immigration, have ignited fierce debate. Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta – which secured over 20,000 H-1B approvals in the first half of 2025 alone – are scrambling, while critics decry the changes as a cash grab that undermines U.S. innovation.
What is the H-1B Visa? A Quick Primer
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa for highly skilled foreign professionals in “specialty occupations” like software engineering, data science, and medicine. Created in 1990, it allows U.S. employers to hire talent when domestic workers are scarce. Key facts:
- Annual Cap: 85,000 visas (65,000 general + 20,000 for advanced-degree holders).
- Current Fees: Employers pay around $460–$2,805 per application, plus training and fraud prevention fees totaling up to $4,000–$5,000.
- Duration: Up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years; often a stepping stone to green cards.
- Usage Stats: In FY 2025, over 400,000 applications were filed, with Indians receiving ~71% of approvals and Chinese ~12%. An estimated 700,000–800,000 H-1B holders currently live in the U.S., contributing $100B+ to the economy annually.
Critics, including Trump, argue the program is abused to undercut American wages – citing cases like one firm approving 5,189 H-1Bs while laying off 16,000 U.S. workers. Supporters say it fuels innovation, with H-1B holders founding 55% of U.S. unicorns.
| Aspect | Before Trump’s Order | After September 21, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $460–$2,805 + extras (~$4K total) | +$100,000 annual fee per worker (on top of existing) |
| Eligibility Restriction | Lottery-based; entry for approved petitions | Suspended entry unless $100K fee paid; 12-month trial |
| Renewal | Standard processing | Annual $100K renewal required |
| Impact on Holders | ~700K in U.S.; path to green card | Potential family disruptions; urgent returns advised |
The $100K H-1B Fee: “America First” or Innovation Killer?
Trump’s proclamation, titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, invokes presidential powers under the Immigration and Nationality Act to slap a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B petitions starting September 21, 2025. It also halts new entries without payment, expiring after 12 months unless extended.
White House Rationale: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a key architect, called the H-1B a “scam” that lets firms “train foreigners to take American jobs.” The fee, he says, ensures only “valuable” talent enters, forcing companies to “train Americans.” Trump echoed: “Stop bringing in people to take our jobs.” The admin claims it’ll raise billions for U.S. training programs.
Industry Backlash: Tech leaders warn of talent flight. Amazon (12,000+ approvals in H1 2025) and others are urging H-1B holders abroad to return immediately. Analysts predict a 30–50% drop in applications, pushing firms to Canada or India. Infosys stock dipped 2% on the news, as Indian firms rely on H-1Bs for 20% of U.S. projects.
Legal Hurdles: Experts like Aaron Reichlin-Melnick slam it as “illegal” – presidents can’t unilaterally hike fees beyond processing costs. Lawsuits from tech coalitions are imminent, echoing 2020 challenges to Trump’s prior H-1B bans.
Global Ripple – India in the Crosshairs: With 70%+ of H-1Bs going to Indians, New Delhi called it a “humanitarian concern” for families, vowing to study impacts on its $200B IT export sector. X users vent frustration: “Modi-Trump reset? More like reset to square one.” Remittances ($100B+ yearly) could dip if returns spike.
Enter the “Trump Gold Card”: Citizenship for Sale?
In a parallel order, Trump unveiled the “Gold Card” – a fast-track residency for the ultra-wealthy, Lutnick’s brainchild to “attract extraordinary people.”
| Tier | Cost | Benefits | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Card (Individual) | $1M contribution + fees | Permanent residency; citizenship path; nationwide validity | 80,000/year cap; vetting required |
| Corporate Gold (Employer-Sponsored) | $2M gift to U.S. | Expedited for key talent | Transferable with fees; 6-year max initial |
| Platinum Card (Proposed) | $5M | 270 days/year tax-free on foreign income; no citizenship path | Needs Congress approval |
Trump touted it as a revenue boon: “Hundreds of billions” from “top talent.” Lutnick: “No more bottom quartile – only the best.” But detractors call it “pay-to-play citizenship,” worse than the EB-5 investor visa it aims to replace.
Broader Implications: New Rules, Old Fights
- For Workers: H-1B holders face uncertainty – renewals now cost $100K/year, potentially stranding families. Alternatives like O-1 (extraordinary ability) or L-1 (intracompany transfer) may surge.
- Economy: Short-term windfall for Uncle Sam; long-term risk to STEM talent pool, per eMarketer’s Jeremy Goldman: “Trading dynamism for protectionism.”
- Politics: MAGA base cheers “America First,” but even Elon Musk defended H-1Bs earlier, sparking intra-Trump tensions. X buzz: “H1B slaves deported – jobs for real Americans!” vs. “Brain drain incoming.”
These “new H-1B rules” echo Trump’s first-term proclamations, like the 2020 entry suspension. Will courts strike them down? Will Congress codify the Gold Card? As one X user quipped: “From lottery to auction – welcome to Trumpball.” Stay tuned; this visa saga is far from over.