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US DHS H-1B, B1/B2, and OPT visa regulatory proposals

Overview

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have introduced several regulatory proposals targeting nonimmigrant work visas, specifically the H-1B program. In mid-August, DHS proposed ‘Eliminating the Discretionary 60-day Grace Period’, which would remove the window for terminated H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E-1, E-2, E-3, and H-1B1 visa holders to find new sponsors. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that the current grace period may place ‘an undue burden on immigration officers due to the additional paperwork required.’ The proposal is currently under review, with the public comment period scheduled to close on November 10, 2026. By late August, administration efforts expanded to include a coordinated initiative between the State Department and DHS to revoke B1 and B2 visas for up to 200,000 individuals who entered as visitors but subsequently applied for asylum. Recent developments have intensified the financial and regulatory burden on H-1B holders. USCIS has proposed a fee of $103,265 for most cap-subject H-1B filings to recover legal immigration system costs, a move critics argue could suppress demand by 63–91%. President Donald Trump has endorsed this fee increase, arguing it will ‘incentivize domestic companies to prioritize hiring and training American workers before seeking skilled labor from overseas.’ In September, President Trump issued an executive order to tighten oversight and prevent the displacement of American workers. In October, DHS expanded its fee-related proposals to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. A new rule would require educational institutions to pay $70,000 for each student’s initial OPT application and $30,000 for subsequent renewals. DHS characterized the current OPT system as a ‘pipeline for cheap foreign labor’ and stated the fees aim to combat fraud. DHS estimates the total annual impact of these fees could reach $12.4 billion.

Entities

Department of Homeland Security · Donald Trump · United States · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · JD Vance

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
    DHS proposes massive new fees for international student OPT program

    The U.S. DHS has proposed new fees for the F-1 OPT program, charging schools $70,000 for initial student participation and $30,000 for subsequent authorizations to combat fraud.

  2. [POLITICS] 58 sources
    DHS proposes $70,000 fee for international student OPT program

    The U.S. DHS has proposed requiring schools to pay $70,000 for each international student's initial OPT work authorization and $30,000 for renewals to combat visa program fraud.

  3. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Trump administration signals crackdown on foreign labor visa programs

    The Trump administration is preparing for intensified enforcement of foreign labor visa programs, with officials signaling major actions this week to protect American jobs and increase H-1B scrutiny.

  4. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    JD Vance calls for H-1B visa program reforms

    Vice President JD Vance is calling for H-1B visa reforms, claiming the program is being exploited to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor instead of attracting high-level talent.

  5. [POLITICS] 10 sources
    US H-1B visa program faces stricter scrutiny and new fees

    Vice President JD Vance announced stricter H-1B visa scrutiny to prevent companies from replacing American workers with lower-wage foreign labor, introducing new fees and enhanced agency oversight.

  6. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    U.S. businesses and hospitals oppose proposed $103,265 H-1B visa fee

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and healthcare groups are opposing a proposed $103,265 DHS fee on H-1B visa petitions, citing risks to business accessibility and medical staffing.

  7. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    U.S. Attorneys General oppose $100,000 H-1B visa fees

    Twenty-two U.S. attorneys general are challenging a proposal to charge over $100,000 for certain H-1B visa petitions, calling the fee an illegal tax that threatens essential workforce sectors.

  8. [POLITICS] 18 sources
    H-1B visa program faces extended fees and new layoff scrutiny

    The Trump administration has extended H-1B visa fees to 2027 and ordered new scrutiny of employers who lay off American workers, sparking backlash from healthcare, tech, and state officials.

  9. [POLITICS] 5 sources
    US extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee executive order

    The US has extended an executive order for one year requiring a $100,000 fee for certain new H-1B visa applicants, amid ongoing legal challenges from business groups.

  10. [POLITICS] 40 sources
    Trump renews $100,000 H-1B fee and orders scrutiny of employers with US layoffs

    President Trump has extended a $100,000 H-1B visa fee until 2027 and ordered federal agencies to scrutinize employers who have recently laid off US workers.

  11. [POLITICS] 7 sources
    DHS proposes eliminating 60-day grace period for work visa holders

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period for certain work visa holders, which would require many to leave the country immediately upon job loss.

  12. [POLITICS] 8 sources
    Trump endorses proposed H-1B visa fee increase

    President Trump has backed a proposed $103,265 fee for H-1B visa petitions to encourage companies to prioritize hiring American workers over foreign talent.

  13. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    USCIS proposes $103k H-1B fee and targets wage misclassifications

    USCIS is proposing a $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions and has revoked visas at a major IT firm for low wage classifications.

  14. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    US proposes H-1B visa reforms including wage hikes and grace period cuts

    The US is proposing major H-1B visa reforms, including cutting the 60-day grace period, restricting H-4 spouse work permits, and significantly increasing minimum wage requirements for foreign workers.

  15. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposes $103,265 H-1B visa fee

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $103,265 fee for most H-1B visa filings, targeting visas subject to numerical caps.

  16. [INTERNATIONAL] 328 sources
    US administration targets B1/B2 visa revocations and H-1B fee increases

    The Trump administration is moving to revoke up to 200,000 B1/B2 visas for those seeking asylum and has proposed a permanent $103,265 fee for new H-1B work visas.

  17. [POLITICS] 5 sources
    DHS proposes eliminating 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering a rule to eliminate the 60-day grace period for many nonimmigrant workers, potentially requiring those who lose their jobs to leave the country sooner.

Sources

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This summary has been updated 28 times: see revision history