Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visas with Vetting and Fees

The Government of the United States has implemented a series of restrictive measures targeting the H-1B visa program to combat fraud and prevent the replacement of American workers with lower-paid foreign labor. These actions include a $100,000 fee increase for new applications and a proposed weighted selection rule to prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled applicants in the visa lottery.

As part of these efforts, the U.S. Department of State began mandatory social media reviews for H-1B and H-4 applicants on December 15, 2025. Applicants must make their profiles public to be screened for hate speech or anti-American attitudes. These requirements have caused significant appointment delays and rescheduling at U.S. consulates in India, leading major tech firms—including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Google—to warn employees against international travel.

Simultaneously, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched Operation Twin Shield, an enforcement campaign resulting in over 2,400 arrests and thousands of worksite visits. The agency also referred more than 14,400 individuals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for security or fraud concerns. Additional measures include reducing work permit validity from five years to 18 months and pausing asylum processing for certain groups following a November 26 attack by an Afghan national.

Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials defended the shift as an "America First" approach to national security. In response, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and attorneys general from 20 states have filed lawsuits challenging the new fees and restrictions.