Trump $100K H‑1B Fee Threatens Rural Schools, Hospitals
The Trump administration's proposed $100,000 fee for most H‑1B visa petitions would sharply increase costs for employers and threatens staffing at rural schools and hospitals that rely on immigrant teachers and clinicians. Local leaders — including Crow Creek Tribal School superintendent Rob Coverdale, who says Filipino H‑1B teachers filled 15 vacancies — and a coalition of health‑care providers, religious groups and educators have sued to block the fee; DHS says it will not apply to current visa holders and has an exemption‑request form, J‑1 visas remain exempt but lack a permanent‑residency pathway, and advocates note one in eight public school positions are vacant or filled by uncertified teachers while the AMA projects an 87,000 physician shortfall over the next decade.
📌 Key Facts
- The Trump administration has proposed a $100,000 fee on H‑1B visas, a change that officials and local leaders say could threaten rural schools and hospitals that rely on immigrant workers.
- Crow Creek Tribal School superintendent Rob Coverdale says the district filled 15 teaching vacancies with Filipino H‑1B teachers and described severe local staffing challenges.
- A coalition of health‑care providers, religious groups, and educators filed a lawsuit this week seeking to block the $100,000 H‑1B fee.
- DHS/White House guidance says the fee would not apply to existing visa holders and the administration has issued an exemption‑request form for prospective hires.
- J‑1 visas remain exempt from the fee, but J‑1 status does not provide a pathway to permanent residency, limiting its usefulness as an alternative for employers seeking long‑term staff.
- National context cited in reports: about one in eight public school positions are vacant or filled by uncertified teachers, and the AMA projects a shortfall of roughly 87,000 physicians over the next decade, underscoring reliance on immigrant workers.
📰 Sources (2)
- Local reporting and quotes: Crow Creek Tribal School superintendent Rob Coverdale describes filling 15 teaching vacancies with Filipino H‑1B teachers and explains the local staffing challenge.
- A coalition of health‑care providers, religious groups and educators filed a lawsuit this week seeking to block the fee.
- DHS/White House guidance detail: the administration says the fee won't apply to existing visa holders and has issued an exemption‑request form; J‑1 visas remain exempt but lack permanent‑residency pathway.
- Contextual national figures: notes one in eight public school positions are vacant/filled by uncertified teachers and cites the AMA projection of an 87,000 physician shortfall over the next decade.