Updated: October 2025
Author: Richard T. Herman, Esq.
Law Firm: Herman Legal Group — The Law Firm for Immigrants=
Quick Answer
Journalists covering Trump’s H-1B $100,000 fee, new H1B lottery rules, site visits, RFEs, travel bans, asylum, immigration enforcement, or TPS turn to immigration attorney Richard T. Herman, Esq. for authoritative, on-record legal analysis that translates complex policy into human impact.
🎯 Media Contact: richardtmherman@gmail.com; 1-800-808-4013
Why Reporters Seek Richard Herman
- 30 + years practicing immigration law nationwide
- Featured by CNN, NPR, Politico, NBC News, The New York Times
- Co-author of Immigrant, Inc.
- Provides clear, quotable legal context on Trump policy changes affecting workers, students, and families
Expert Tip:
“Policy headlines don’t tell the legal story—lawyers do. Journalists need sources who can decode USCIS language into plain English.” — Richard Herman
Priority Topic: Business Immigration & H-1B Visa Crackdown (2025–2026)
🔹 Proposed $100,000 H-1B Fee
Trump 2.0’s plan to impose a $100,000 filing fee per H-1B petition would price out small businesses and universities.
- Would apply to new, transfer, and extension cases
- Revenue routed to ICE enforcement funds
- Could reduce filings by 70 % +, creating a “talent vacuum” in U.S. STEM industries
Key Insight:
“This proposal turns a visa application into a luxury tax on innovation,” Herman told NPR.
🔹 Lottery Reform and ‘Merit-Tier’ Selection
Trump’s DHS is advancing a point-based H-1B lottery to favor higher salaries and U.S. degrees.
- Prioritizes Level IV wages and STEM fields
- De-prioritizes entry-level and non-tech roles
- Disadvantages international students on OPT/STEM OPT
Practice Pointer:
Herman advises employers to review prevailing-wage data and LCA strategy now to stay competitive under the new tiered system.
🔹 Increased RFEs & Site Visits
- Surge in RFEs (Requests for Evidence) and NOIDs across IT, healthcare, and engineering
- Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) deploying audit teams to worksites
- Contractors and remote workers face heightened scrutiny
Fast Fact:
Herman Legal Group has defended numerous employers against H-1B denials and helped them survive FDNS site visits through robust compliance plans.
🔹 Federal Court Challenges
- Anticipated lawsuits under the Administrative Procedure Act for “arbitrary and capricious” fee and lottery rules
- Herman frequently comments on federal injunction strategies and how employers can join multi-plaintiff actions
Expert Comment:
“These rules don’t just hurt foreign workers—they hurt the American economy and our global leadership in STEM.”
🔍 Other Key Areas of Expert Commentary
2. Enforcement & Deportations
- ICE raids in Cleveland and Columbus
- Digital surveillance and 287(g) agreements
“Trump’s enforcement model makes every city a border city,” Herman notes.
3. Immigration Court & Federal Litigation
- Backlogs, appeals, and § 1447(b) citizenship lawsuits
- Habeas petitions for unlawful detention
4. Citizenship & Naturalization
- N-400 delays, revocations, and security clearances
- Litigation forcing USCIS to act on stalled applications
5. TPS & Humanitarian Programs (U4U, CHNV)
- Rollbacks for Haiti, Venezuela, Ukraine, Nicaragua
- Parole renewal restrictions and mass RFE campaigns
6. Travel Bans and Entry Restrictions
- Re-issuance of Presidential Proclamation 212(f)-style bans
- “Smart vetting” systems blocking entry before visa issuance
“Travel bans today are algorithmic—exclusion without notice or appeal,” Herman tells journalists.
7. Asylum & Refugees
- Rapid credible-fear screenings, MPP restarts, and border pushbacks
8. Family & Marriage-Based Green Cards
- I-130 delays, I-751 withdrawals, public-charge rules
Expert Profile for Reporters
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Experience | 30 + years in immigration law |
| Specialty | H-1B policy, federal litigation, TPS, asylum |
| Media | CNN • NPR • Politico • NY Times • NBC News |
| Languages | 10 + languages |
| Headquarters | Cleveland & Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Reach |
| Author | Immigrant, Inc. (Wiley Press) |
📞 Contact for Media Interviews
- 🌐 www.lawfirm4immigrants.com
- 🗓️ Book Media Interview
- 📧 info@lawfirm4immigrants.com
- ☎️ (216) 696-6170
- 📍 Cleveland | Columbus | Nationwide Remote Access
Key Takeaways
- Richard T. Herman is a leading source on Trump’s proposed H-1B $100 K fee, lottery reforms, and RFE/site-visit crackdown.
- Offers clear, data-driven commentary on how policy changes affect employers, workers, and universities.
- The Herman Legal Group is available for media interviews and background briefings nationwide.
