Post Event Summary
On Thursday, October 9, ICAS x World Salon hosted an online discussion about the change in status quo of H-1B visas. This discussion featured Mr. Sourabh Gupta (Head of Trade n’ Technology Program, Institute of China-America Studies) as Moderator, and Dr. Denis Simon (Chairman, Alliance of Global Talent Organizations, Ms. Tahmina Watson (Founding Attorney, Watson Immigration Law), Dr. Yingyi Ma (Professor, Syracuse University), and Dr. Giovanni Peri (Distinguished Professor, UC Davis).
Over the past several decades, the H-1B visa program has served as a key pathway for bringing highly skilled professionals into the U.S. workforce, particularly in technology, engineering, and research. It has enabled companies to fill critical gaps, support innovation, and strengthen global competitiveness. However, in September 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that introduces a sweeping change: any new H-1B petition filed after September 21 must include a supplemental fee of $100,000 as a condition for entry. The stated goal is to prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled workers and reduce abuses of the visa system. At the same time, existing H-1B holders and renewals are not subject to the new fee, offering a degree of continuity for those already in the system.
Panelists examined how the new rules might reshape recruitment strategies, alter the flow of global talent, impact innovation ecosystems, and test the balance between protecting domestic labor and maintaining U.S. competitiveness. The conversation explored alternative paths—such as exemptions, national interest waivers, or new complementary visa categories—that could soften the blow while preserving access to global talent. Participants highlighted the cultural differences between immigrant and American students, the beneficial economic ‘multiplier’ effect immigrants have in their communities, and attitudes of students abroad who are potentially reconsidering work and education in the U.S.
