Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Struck Down as AI Companies Surge Applications While Big Tech Pulls Back
A federal judge ruled President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas unlawful on Monday, but the policy had already created a stark divide in the tech industry. Frontier AI companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, and Anthropic sharply increased their foreign-worker visa filings despite the fee, while major tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft reduced applications significantly. The divergence reflects different financial capacities: AI labs with billions in capital view the fee as negligible, while large employers with thousands of H-1B workers face substantial budget impacts.
A federal judge struck down President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled immigrant workers on Monday, ruling it an unlawful tax. However, the policy's eight-month tenure revealed a sharp divide in how the tech industry responded. Frontier AI companies that publicly supported the fee—including Nvidia (19% increase in certified applications), OpenAI (more than tripled), and Anthropic (from roughly 10 to nearly 60 applications)—increased their foreign-worker filings substantially in the first quarter of 2026. Conversely, the country's largest H-1B sponsors, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, posted steep declines in applications. The divergence stems from financial capacity: for AI labs with billions in fresh capital, the $100,000 surcharge per new petition is a minor expense in a talent war, while for companies like Amazon sponsoring thousands of H-1B workers annually, it represents a significant budget line item. The fee's overall impact was substantial—H-1B applications fell from 343,981 to 211,600 year-over-year—disproportionately affecting small businesses unable to absorb the cost.
What different sources said
- FortuneCenter
OpenAI and Nvidia CEOs didn’t flinch at Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee, and now they’re paying up as their application numbers soar
Related
Halfway Through 2026 Primary Season: Six Key Takeaways from Congressional Races
Four more states held primaries this week, bringing the total to 26 states that have completed regular congressional primaries in the 2026 midterm cycle. Key patterns emerging include front-runners not always winning, House members struggling to advance to statewide office, and President Trump's endorsement record remaining largely successful despite low approval ratings. These trends are shaping the competitive landscape for the general election.
Congress Struggles to Build Support for $9 Billion Rayburn House Office Building Renovation
The Architect of the Capitol is pushing for a major renovation of the Rayburn House Office Building, which could cost $9 billion and last until 2045, but lawmakers remain hesitant to commit to the project. The building, constructed in 1965, is experiencing serious deterioration including 16 major leaks in the past year alone and risks of catastrophic system failure. The challenge reflects a broader political difficulty: Congress has historically been reluctant to fund its own infrastructure, with legislative branch spending averaging just 0.15 percent of total budget authority since 1976.
Study Finds College Faculty Lean Significantly Left, Raising Questions About Campus Ideological Diversity
A study commissioned by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that college faculty donors have an average ideology score of -1.02, comparable to Senator Bernie Sanders's -1.14, indicating strong leftward lean among faculty. The research cross-referenced over 100,000 faculty members with campaign contribution data, and separate surveys found only 20% of faculty believed a conservative scholar would be welcome in their department. The findings raise concerns about ideological diversity in higher education and its potential influence on student political attitudes.