1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Trump administration's recent executive order implementing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. This exorbitant fee is tantamount to an economic travel ban against essential workers who contribute significantly to our nation's innovation and economic growth. The H-1B visa program is already highly competitive and restrictive, with only about 20% of applications resulting in approved workers. The program's annual cap of 65,000 new visas, plus an additional 20,000 for those with advanced degrees, ensures that only the most qualified individuals are selected. Adding a $100,000 fee to this process will effectively shut out many talented professionals, particularly in critical fields like software development. This policy will have severe consequences for our economy and technological leadership. Major tech companies like Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Google rely heavily on the H-1B program to fill specialized roles. By imposing this fee, we risk pushing these companies to shift jobs overseas, especially in crucial areas like research and development. This could lead to a brain drain and a decline in American innovation. Furthermore, this fee may discourage international students from studying in the U.S., depriving our universities and workforce of diverse talent and perspectives. The long-term impact on our educational institutions and industries could be devastating. While the administration claims this fee will protect American workers, it may actually have the opposite effect. By hindering companies' ability to hire the best talent globally, we risk making American businesses less competitive on the world stage. This could lead to fewer jobs for Americans in the long run, not more. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent this executive order from being implemented. Please work with your colleagues to introduce legislation that would nullify this fee and protect the H-1B visa program. Our nation's economic future depends on our ability to attract and retain the world's top talent. We must not let short-sighted policies jeopardize our long-term prosperity and innovation leadership.