Republican Grills Markwayne Mullin on $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Summary
During a Senate hearing, Republican Senator Susan Collins questioned Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee on some H-1B visa applications. Collins highlighted concerns about how the fee affects rural hospitals needing foreign workers like surgeons, while Mullin said many applicants pay the fee to speed up processing.Key Facts
- The H-1B visa lets U.S. employers hire foreign workers in special jobs like technology, engineering, and medicine.
- The Trump administration introduced a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa petitions starting in early 2026.
- The fee is intended to encourage hiring American workers who earn higher wages and to increase oversight of the visa program.
- Senator Susan Collins pressed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on the fee's impact on rural hospitals and essential services.
- Mullin said the fee helps speed up visa processing to about 15 days, while other applications can take over seven months.
- Over 200,000 applicants reportedly paid the fee so far, according to Mullin, although this number has not been independently confirmed.
- Some lawmakers worry the fee will worsen worker shortages in healthcare and other sectors that rely on foreign labor.
- Currently, 65,000 H-1B visas are available annually, plus 20,000 for advanced-degree holders from U.S. schools, with exemptions for certain employers like universities.
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