Amazon Tops H-1B Visa List; Lawsuit Challenges Fee Hike
Amazon tops the list of companies receiving H-1B visas this year, with over 10,000 approvals. California hosts the highest number of H-1B workers. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenges the legality of a recent executive action that raised the H-1B visa fee to $100,000.
The H-1B visa programme allows companies to hire specialized professionals from abroad. It covers a wide range of professions, from nurses and teachers to physicians and scholars. However, a recent increase in the visa fee to $100,000 has sparked controversy.
Critics argue that the higher fee could disrupt hiring and cause a loss of key workers. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, contests the government's authority to change immigration law by executive order and turn visa fees into a revenue source. It also raises concerns about the impact on competition and startups. The plaintiffs, which include constitutional law experts and critics, fear that the fee hike could lead to a shortage of healthcare staff, teachers, and other essential professionals.
The lawsuit against the $100,000 H-1B visa fee is ongoing. If successful, it could reverse the recent fee hike and ensure the continued availability of specialized professionals in the U.S. workforce.
