Public comments flood US government websites over proposed H-1B, OPT fee hikes
- DHS proposes $70K initial fee for international grads using OPT, plus $30K for each renewal—a 3,000% price hike for a work permit.
- Employers face a $103,265 toll per H-1B petition, virtually pricing out startups and mid-size firms from hiring foreign talent.
- Over 13,000 public comments flood federal portals, with Chinese students—the largest OPT cohort—leading the charge against 'collective financial penalties.'
- Hospitals plead for healthcare worker exemptions; a software engineers' union cheers the fees as a 'positive step' to curb wage suppression.
- The proposal follows Trump's '$100K visa' executive order and a fresh J-1 visa fraud probe into Ivy League schools—immigration crackdown is bipartisan entertainment.
Brief Summary
The Department of Homeland Security, apparently mistaking international students for ATMs, has proposed slapping a $70,000 initiation fee on Optional Practical Training plus $30,000 for each sequel, alongside a $103,265 per-head tariff on H-1B petitions. That's not a visa fee; that's a ransom note with a watermark. Nearly 62,000 Chinese students used OPT last year, making them the prime targets of this cash grab dressed as 'fraud prevention.'
Why This Matters
For the average reader, this is a masterclass in how the government monetizes hope. If you're a student or employer, these fees turn a green card into a luxury SUV—technically obtainable but financially idiotic. For everyone else, it's a reminder that 'American competitiveness' is just a slogan until it's time to pay for it.