{
  "id": 14308405,
  "title": "Public comments flood US government websites over proposed H-1B, OPT fee hikes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/public-comments-flood-us-government-websites-over-proposed-h-1b-opt-14308405",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T22:17:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3370790/public-comments-flood-us-government-websites-over-proposed-h-1b-opt-fee-hikes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An online petition has gathered thousands of comments in response to proposed fee hikes for international students and employers under the US H-1B and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering charging up to US$100,000 for OPT fees and US$103,265 for H-1B visa petitions. Kana Liu, a Chinese Canadian, expressed her opposition on the government's public comment portal, stating that the proposed fees would create barriers for legitimate students and fail to address immigration fraud or protect American workers. Over 62,000 Chinese students participated in OPT in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report. The proposal has received more than 2,000 comments so far, with the comment period running until November 9. The H-1B proposal has drawn about 11,700 comments since its unveiling in late August. While some argue the fees would protect American jobs, others contend they unfairly penalize law-abiding graduates and discourage international students from pursuing US educations and careers.",
  "summary": "Kana Liu, a Chinese Canadian living in the US on a work visa, felt compelled to speak up. Faced with a Department of Homeland Security proposal to charge up to US$100,000 in fees for international students to work in the US after graduation under Optional Practical Training (OPT), she rushed to the government’s public comment portal. “I firmly oppose the proposed $70,000 initial OPT fee and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Public comments flood US government websites over proposed H-1B, OPT fee hikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/public-comments-flood-us-government-websites-over-proposed-h-1b-opt",
        "published": "2026-10-13T22:17:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}