Public comments flood US government websites over proposed H-1B, OPT fee hikes

Public comment sections on US government websites have been inundated with feedback regarding proposed increases in fees associated with international students and skilled foreign workers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking public input on two contentious proposals that would significantly raise costs.

The first proposal, unveiled on October 8, would impose a $70,000 fee for a student's first Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization and a $30,000 fee for each subsequent authorization. Schools could absorb these costs or pass them onto students and employers. This proposal has elicited over 2,000 comments from those opposing the proposed fees, arguing they would create barriers for legitimate students and educational institutions while failing to effectively combat immigration fraud or protect American workers. The comment period runs until November 9.

In parallel, a second proposal concerning H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers has garnered approximately 11,700 comments. This plan would charge employers $103,265 for each new H-1B petition subject to an annual cap of 85,000 visas. The comment period for this proposal has now closed, with a final decision pending.

These proposals have sparked widespread debate over their potential impact on international students. OPT typically permits graduates to work in the US for up to a year, with extensions available for those in STEM fields. Many later seek H-1B visas, which can lead to permanent residency. The proposals come amid the Trump administration's broader immigration crackdown, including a prior $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, which was later struck down by federal judges.

Vice-President J.D. Vance recently announced an investigation into alleged J-1 visa fraud at nine universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and MIT. DHS has not yet commented on when a decision might be made on the H-1B proposal.

Commenters have expressed mixed views. Some, like Hang Deng, argue that addressing fraud should be done through targeted investigations and enforcement against actual offenders, rather than imposing financial penalties on law-abiding graduates. Professional groups, such as the American Hospital Association, have called for exemptions for healthcare workers, while others, like the US Society of Software Engineers, support the fee, arguing it aims to protect American jobs by ensuring skilled immigration reforms.

Graduate student Larissa Liao, currently on OPT, finds both proposals ridiculous but remains hopeful they will never take effect. She emphasizes the overwhelming stress these changes impose on international students and employers.