In a move framed as a crackdown on what he called “abuse” of the immigration system, Trump unveiled an executive order that dramatically reshapes the rules for one of the country’s most coveted visas. For thousands of foreign workers — and the American companies that rely on their expertise — the new policy represents not just a hurdle, but perhaps an insurmountable barrier.

The Executive Order That Changed Everything

At the heart of the announcement was the H-1B visa program, a system that has allowed skilled workers from around the world to take jobs in the United States. Trump revealed that the application fee, once a relatively manageable $1,500, would now skyrocket to a staggering $100,000 per year.

The executive order, signed on September 21, does more than raise costs: it fundamentally redefines who can afford to