AILA: Trump Administration H-1B Crackdown and “Gold Card” Visa Imperil Jobs, Innovation, and Rural Healthcare

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AILA: Trump Administration H-1B Crackdown and "Gold Card" Visa Imperil Jobs, Innovation, and Rural Healthcare

9/19/25 AILA Doc. No. 25092000.

CONTACTS:
George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 [email protected]	Belle Woods 202-507-7675 [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Trump signed a proclamation that restricts the entry of H-1B visa holders into the United States or approval of new H-1B visas for individuals overseas unless their U.S. employers pay a $100,000 fee. He also issued an executive order which would grant employment-based green cards to individuals willing to "gift" $1 million to the United States, replacing longstanding pathways based on exceptional ability, national interest, and merit. These programs have long been critical tools for American employers to access the skilled talent needed to fuel growth, innovation, and job creation.

Jeff Joseph, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) said, "America's need for talented foreign professionals to fill critical workforce gaps, keep the economy moving forward, and create new jobs has not changed under the Trump Administration. But overnight, this Administration has turned the high-skilled H-1B program into a 'pay-to-play' system. By requiring H-1B workers to pay an exorbitant $100,000 fee to participate, the administration has effectively shut out teachers, non-profits, researchers, rural doctors, clergy, and other professionals who simply can't afford Trump's elitist revisioning of the H-1B program. Rather than working with Congress to strengthen and revitalize this critical high-skilled worker program, the President has overstepped his executive authority on a proposal that will undermine innovation and prevent businesses both large and small from accessing the talent they need. This is not about replacing American workers, it is about expanding opportunities, building new industries, and keeping America globally competitive. Locking out innovators and job creators at a time when our economy still faces post-pandemic challenges makes zero sense." AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson added, "These announcements attempt to rewrite laws created by Congress, which clearly established the parameters and purpose of the H-1B program and employment-based green cards, their fees, and the formal process for making changes. It will not stand up in court. But litigation takes time, and in the meantime, we are inflicting needless harm on ourselves. This sends a signal to the world's top talent that the United States is closing its doors. These are scientists, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs who help build companies, expand research, and strengthen communities. Study after study confirms that H-1B workers do not take jobs away from Americans but instead they help create them. By complementing the U.S. workforce, they drive economic growth, expand innovation, and open up entirely new sectors of employment. If we push this talent away, America will lose-jobs will be lost, innovation will slow, and we will forfeit our competitive edge in areas such as business, healthcare, and technology."