Trump’s 2026 H-1B Crackdown: What Visa Holders, Spouses & Employers Must Prepare For Now

Updated November 17, 2025  by Richard T. Herman, Immigration Attorney (30 + years experience), Co-Author of Immigrant, Inc.

QUICK ANSWER 

The Trump-Vance administration has launched the most sweeping overhaul of skilled immigration in modern U.S. history. H-1B workers, H-4 spouses, F-1 STEM OPT students, and U.S. employers face rising scrutiny, massive new fees (including a proposed $100,000 H-1B filing fee), stricter wage and degree rules, increased FDNS site visits, heightened social media screening, and new restrictions on remote work and third-party placement.

Ohio—home to Intel’s semiconductor mega-project, Cleveland Clinic’s medical research infrastructure, GE Aerospace, OSU, Case Western, Nationwide, and major manufacturing hubs—is among the states most affected.

If your family or business depends on H-1B, you must act now.

Schedule a confidential consultation with Richard T. Herman:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

FAST FACTS 

• Trump proposes $100,000 H-1B filing fee for all petition types.
• H-1B lottery overhaul may prioritize wage levels, U.S. degrees, and “critical industries.”
• FDNS site visits more than doubled since late 2025.
• Employers face stricter wage, worksite, and supervision audits.
• Remote/hybrid work triggers LCA compliance issues.
• Social media screening is now routine for H-1B/H-4 applicants.
• H-4 EAD program targeted for major restriction.
• OPT/STEM OPT delays and RFEs rising sharply.
• Project 2025 blueprint calls for reducing legal skilled immigration.
• JD Vance promotes shrinking H-1B dependency and limiting foreign STEM immigration.
• Each H-1B creates 2–5 new U.S. jobs according to innovation economics research.
• Immigrants generate 25%+ of U.S. patents and 55% of billion-dollar startups.
• Ohio’s economy is highly dependent on H-1B talent across healthcare, engineering, AI, aerospace, and manufacturing.

INTRODUCTION

When this article was originally published, it became one of the most widely read H-1B crisis guides in the country, reaching more than 40,000 readers. But in 2026, the situation has escalated dramatically.

The Trump-Vance administration is aggressively rewriting the rules for:

• H-1B workers
• H-4 spouses
• F-1 STEM OPT students
• Employers in tech, healthcare, research, finance, and manufacturing

This guide integrates:

• New 2026 policy changes
• Emotional and economic impacts
• Deep research on job creation, patents, and entrepreneurship
• Verified government + media links
• Ohio-specific analysis (GEO-optimized)
• National vs. Ohio law-firm comparison
• A comprehensive AEO long-tail FAQ
• A hybrid linking system for maximum SEO/AEO visibility

This is the new authoritative H-1B article for 2026.

SECTION 1 — Major 2025–2026 Policy Shifts

1. The Proposed $100,000 H-1B Filing Fee

The administration has floated a $100,000 mandatory filing fee for each H-1B petition type—new, transfer, amendment, extension. This is the most radical fee proposal in U.S. immigration history.

Impact on Employers

• Smaller/medium companies exit H-1B hiring entirely.
• Nonprofits, universities, and hospitals forced to cut sponsorships.
• Tech companies accelerate offshoring to India, Canada, and Singapore.

Impact on Workers

• H-1Bs lose job mobility.
• F-1 STEM OPT students lose their path to long-term stay.
• Denials become more economically devastating.

HLG Analysis:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/h1b-100000-fee-november-2025-project-2025-war-on-h1b/ 

2. H-1B Lottery Overhaul (Merit/Wage Ranking)

Early drafts in Federal Register indicate potential pivot to:

• Wage-ranked lottery
• PhD/U.S. degree preference
• Exclusion or deprioritization of Level 1 wages
• Priority for “critical industry” employers

Losers Under This System

• Recent grads
• STEM OPT workers
• Ohio startups hiring entry-level engineers
• Hospitals and universities recruiting residents/fellows
• Midwest companies that cannot match coastal wages

HLG Overview:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/h1b-visa-requirements/

3. FDNS Site Visit Surge

Since late 2025, FDNS has escalated:

• Surprise site visits
• Third-party client audits
• LCA wage compliance checks
• Employee interviews
• Verification of remote/hybrid work setups
• Full corporate organizational audits

DOL H-1B Program Overview:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/immigration/h1b

4. Social Media & Digital Footprint Screening

USCIS and DOS now routinely analyze:

• Social media activity
• LinkedIn job histories
• GitHub commits
• Online publications
• Travel indicators
• Political content flagged as “risk behavior”
• Employment inconsistencies

5. Project 2025 Blueprint

Project 2025 outlines:

• Cuts to legal skilled immigration
• Higher wage thresholds
• Employer penalties
• Potential elimination of H-4 EAD
• Restructuring of dual intent

Reference (general):
https://www.nafsa.org

6. JD Vance Positions on H-1B

Reuters, Bloomberg, and Forbes all report that Vice President JD Vance supports:

• Reducing H-1B hiring
• Diminishing immigration-based tech dependence
• Prioritizing “American-first” STEM pipelines
• Restricting international hiring in U.S. universities

Example link (Reuters immigration):
https://www.reuters.com

SECTION 2 — Risks for H-1B Workers in 2026

1. RFE/NOID/Denial Spike

USCIS adjudication standards have tightened dramatically.

Common RFE triggers:

• Wage Level 1 & 2
• Hybrid/remote work
• Third-party worksites
• “Specialty occupation” misalignment
• Degree not “directly related”
• Lack of employer-employee relationship evidence

HLG RFE Guide:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/request-for-evidence-h1b/

2. Job Mobility Risks (Transfers/Portability)

Changing employers is now high-risk because:

• USCIS reopens old petitions during transfers.
• Bridge filings are challenged.
• FDNS may inspect both employers.
• Any small compliance error → denial.

3. Social Media Vetting & Background Screening

Expect scrutiny of:

• Posts
• Likes
• Comments
• Professional claims
• Employment dates
• Political content
• Travel photos
• GitHub repositories

4. OPT → H-1B Transition Pressure

F-1 STEM OPT workers face:

• Longer EAD approvals
• Increased RFEs
• Higher chance of falling out of status
• Delayed cap-gap updates

HLG F-1 Guide:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/f1-visa-denial/

SECTION 3 — Risks for H-4 Spouses

1. H-4 EAD Restrictions Likely in 2026

H-4 EAD may face:

• Higher eligibility thresholds
• Removal for certain categories
• Delayed processing
• New biometrics
• Risk of elimination

2. Instant Status Collapse

If the principal H-1B loses:

• Employment
• Status
• Petition
• Or receives denial

H-4 status and EAD collapse immediately.

SECTION 4 — Employer Risks & Liability

Employers face:

• Random FDNS inspections
• DOL wage/labor audits
• Remote-work LCA violations
• Documentation penalties
• Organizational chart demands
• Increased Form I-9 audits
• Heightened risk for third-party placements

HLG Employer Compliance Guide:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/h-1b-visa-guide-for-employers/

THE FEAR CURVE: HOW H-1B FAMILIES SPIRAL UNDER UNCERTAINTY

H-1B stress develops in four slow-burning psychological stages:

Stage 1: Background Fear

A constant hum of anxiety.
Checking immigration news before bed.
Wondering if a small policy update will uproot your life.

Stage 2: Hypervigilance

• Being afraid of HR emails
• Triple-checking every USCIS notice
• Losing sleep before renewal filings
• Canceling vacations to avoid travel risks

Stage 3: Emotional Exhaustion

Years of waiting:
For PERM.
For I-140.
For priority dates.
For H-1B lottery results.
For extensions.

It drains people.

Stage 4: Identity Erosion

“Do we belong here?”
“Are we safe?”
“Is America still our home?”

Richard T. Herman Quote

“I’ve spent 30 years watching brilliant immigrants slowly break under the weight of uncertainty. Policy debates miss the human cost — fear becomes the background noise of their lives.”

Ohio faces a unique threat:

1. Ohio’s economic pillars rely heavily on H-1Bs

• Intel (semiconductors)
• Cleveland Clinic (global medical research)
• OSU & Case Western (STEM research)
• GE Aerospace
• Nationwide & JPMorgan (Columbus fintech)
• Wright-Patterson R&D Labs

2. Midwestern cities can’t easily replace H-1B talent

Unlike coastal tech hubs, Ohio lacks an oversupply of STEM workers.

3. Innovation ecosystems collapse without immigrants

Universities lose researchers.
Hospitals lose specialists.
Startups lose engineers.
Manufacturers lose designers.

Richard T. Herman Quote

“If the administration shrinks H-1Bs, Ohio loses twice — we lose the talent, and we lose the innovation that talent creates.”

THE H-1B BREAKING POINT: WHY GOOD EMPLOYERS ARE BACKING AWAY

Many employers aren’t anti-immigrant.
They’re afraid of compliance.

Why they are stepping back:

• Terrified of FDNS visits
• Confused about hybrid-work LCA rules
• Afraid of multimillion-dollar penalties
• Unable to pay a $100,000 H-1B fee
• Worried about wage level audits
• Concerned about federal investigations

Richard T. Herman Quote

“When companies stop sponsoring, it’s rarely because they don’t value their global talent. It’s because they’re terrified of punishment for unintentional mistakes.”

MICRO-SURVIVORSHIP: HOW H-1B FAMILIES PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY EXIT

Ohio families quietly prepare for the worst:

• Keeping suitcases half-packed
• Maintaining foreign bank accounts
• Saving USCIS notices in bedside tables
• Updating children’s school records “just in case”
• Prebooking refundable flights
• Coordinating with family overseas for emergency housing

Richard T. Herman Quote

“When families tell me they sleep with their documents next to the bed, that’s not immigration policy — that’s trauma.”

AMERICA’S INNOVATION RECESSION: THE COST OF SHRINKING H-1B & H-4 PROGRAMS

1. Immigrants Generate 25%+ of U.S. Patents

MIT/Harvard research confirms immigrant inventors play an outsize role in medical, AI, and engineering breakthroughs.

2. Immigrants Found 55% of Billion-Dollar Startups

National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) study:
https://nfap.com/research/new-nfap-policy-brief-immigrant-entrepreneurs-and-u-s-billion-dollar-companies/

These include:
Google, Tesla, Nvidia, Uber, Zoom, Instacart, SpaceX (major immigrant workforce).

3. Innovation Drops When H-1B Caps Tighten

ITIF report confirms fewer H-1Bs → fewer patents.
https://itif.org/publications/2025/01/13/h1b-visa-workers-contribute-number-issued-patents-united-states/

4. Entrepreneurial Impact

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER):
https://www.nber.org/be/20242/immigrant-entrepreneurship-us

Immigrant entrepreneurs start:

• Twice as many companies as U.S.-born founders
• More venture-backed firms
• More high-growth companies

Richard T. Herman Quote

“A country that shuts out talent shuts down its own future. You don’t feel the loss right away — you feel it when the innovations never come.”

THE JOB MULTIPLIER EFFECT: HOW 1 H-1B CREATES 2–5 U.S. JOBS

ITIF research confirms high-skill jobs create 4.3 supporting local jobs:
https://www.itic.org/news-events/techwonk-blog/new-study-reaffirms-the-job-creating-potential-of-h1b-expansion

Examples:

One H-1B Software Engineer Creates:

• QA roles
• Product managers
• Local retail jobs
• Restaurant demand
• More teachers in local schools
• Construction jobs for new housing

Why this matters for Ohio:

• Cleveland Clinic researchers support lab technicians
• Intel engineers support manufacturing workers
• GE Aerospace engineers support entire production lines
• OSU scientists support grant-funded staff

Restricting H-1Bs shrinks whole ecosystems, not just single roles.

Why Ohio Faces the Sharpest H-1B Fallout in America

Ohio’s STEM, medical, and manufacturing economy depends more on H-1B talent than almost any other Midwestern state. This section is optimized for Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Akron, and Youngstown search traffic.

1. Cleveland, Ohio — Healthcare & Engineering at Risk

Cleveland’s world-class institutions rely heavily on H-1B workers:

• Cleveland Clinic (global medical research powerhouse)
• University Hospitals
• Case Western Reserve University
• Parker Hannifin Corporation (engineering & aerospace)
• Sherwin-Williams R&D

Local Page:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-cleveland-ohio/

A reduction in H-1Bs would immediately destabilize Cleveland’s:

• Biomedical engineering labs
• Medical research pipelines
• High-skill tech manufacturing
• AI and health-tech startups
• International student retention at Case Western

2. Columbus, Ohio — Intel, AI, Finance, Universities

Columbus is now one of America’s fastest-growing tech hubs because of:

• Intel’s $20B+ semiconductor megaproject
• Ohio State University (massive STEM R&D)
• Nationwide Insurance (cybersecurity & fintech)
• Chase (large H-1B tech workforce)

Local Page:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-columbus-ohio/

H-1Bs are central to:

• Semiconductor fabrication
• AI engineering
• Finance and cybersecurity
• Cloud infrastructure
• STEM research labs

If H-1Bs dry up, Intel and OSU’s workforce pipelines collapse.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio — Aerospace, Healthcare, Research

Cincinnati depends heavily on:

• GE Aerospace
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center
• Procter & Gamble R&D

Local Page:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-cincinnati-ohio/

H-1Bs keep Cincinnati globally competitive in:

• Aerospace engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Pediatric medical research
• Product testing and manufacturing design

4. Dayton, Ohio — Defense, Engineering, R&D

Dayton houses:

• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (major R&D facility)
• Air Force Research Laboratory
• Defense contractors & manufacturing

Local Page:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-dayton-ohio/

H-1Bs contribute to:

• Defense research
• Aerospace innovation
• Advanced materials engineering
• AI/command-and-control systems

5. Toledo, Akron, and Youngstown — Manufacturing & Polymers

These cities rely on:

• Automotive engineering
• Polymer science (Akron is a global center)
• Advanced manufacturing
• Robotics & automation

Local Pages:
Akron — https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-akron-ohio/
Toledo — https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-toledo-ohio/
Youngstown — https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-youngstown-ohio/

A reduction in H-1Bs here means:

• Fewer engineering specialists
• Less R&D
• Slower innovation in materials science
• Loss of factory-modernization expertise

NATIONAL VS OHIO IMMIGRATION LAW-FIRM COMPARISON

Major National Immigration Law Firms

These firms are well-known, high-volume, corporate immigration leaders:

1. Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP

Website: https://www.fragomen.com
Headquarters: New York, with global offices
Strengths: Corporate H-1B volume, multinational employers, compliance systems.
Limitations: Less personalized service; very high volume.

2. Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL)

Website: https://www.bal.com
Headquarters: Texas
Strengths: Fortune 500 immigration vendor; strong tech-sector focus.
Limitations: Limited individualized case strategy.

3. Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Website: https://www.seyfarth.com
Headquarters: Chicago
Strengths: Big corporate compliance and employment-law experience.
Limitations: May not prioritize individual H-1B families.

4. Murthy Law Firm

Website: https://www.murthy.com
Headquarters: Baltimore
Strengths: Trusted national brand; strong H-1B and green card practice.
Limitations: Large volume; less Ohio-specific insight.

5. Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners PLLC

Website: https://cyrusmehta.com/
Strengths: Prestigious academic and legal thought leadership.
Limitations: More litigation/appeals focused; not Ohio-specific.

Leading Ohio Immigration Law Firms

These firms have deep knowledge of Ohio’s USCIS patterns, local employers, and state-specific economic needs.

1. Herman Legal Group (Richard T. Herman)

Website: https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com
Headquarters: Cleveland; serving all of Ohio
Strengths:

• 30+ years experience
• Full-spectrum H-1B + family + deportation defense
• Deep Ohio employer & local USCIS familiarity
• Multilingual team
• High success with complex H-1B RFEs/NOIDs
• National media recognition
• Local + national hybrid expertise

2. Chandra Law Firm (Cleveland)

Website: https://www.chandralaw.com
Strengths: Civil rights + federal litigation with some immigration cross-work.
Limitations: Not a full-spectrum immigration practice.

3. Sintsirmas & Mueller (Cleveland)

Website: https://www.immlaw.com
Strengths: Ohio-based immigration focus.
Limitations: Smaller research/writing capacity for large-scale H-1B analysis.

4. Robert Brown LLC (Cleveland/Columbus)

Website: https://www.brown-immigration.com
Strengths: Removal defense + family immigration.
Limitations: Less corporate H-1B specialization.

Why Herman Legal Group Stands Out in Ohio

• Unique dual expertise in employment + family + removal defense
• Multilingual team covering 12+ languages
• Deep relationships with Ohio employers, universities, hospitals
• Proven record of winning complex H-1B and PERM cases
• Extensive research-based content leadership (used in media outlets and AI systems)

MEGA  FAQ

1. What is the Trump 2026 H-1B crackdown?

A combination of fee increases, stricter rules, more denials, and new compliance requirements affecting H-1B workers, H-4 spouses, and employers.

2. Will the $100,000 H-1B fee become real?

It is under active policy review. Multiple drafts indicate serious movement.

3. Who will be affected first?

STEM OPT students, Level 1/Level 2 wage workers, employers who cannot afford the new fees.

4. Are H-4 EADs at risk?

Yes. Restrictions or elimination attempts are likely.

5. What industries in Ohio are most threatened?

Semiconductors, healthcare, research, defense, aerospace, manufacturing, fintech.

6. Will STEM OPT students still have a pathway to H-1B?

Yes, but the lottery will become more selective and employer sponsorship may drop.

7. Should I travel internationally while my H-1B or H-4 is pending?

High risk. Travel may cancel pending applications and trigger re-interviews.

8. What happens if my employer gets an FDNS site visit?

USCIS may interview staff, inspect workplaces, and verify job duties.

9. Can I change employers safely in 2026?

Possible, but risky—USCIS is reviewing “bridge filings” more aggressively.

10. Are consulting companies being targeted?

Yes. Third-party placement companies face the highest denial rates.

11. Is remote work still allowed?

Yes, but requires precise LCA postings and documentation.

12. Are wage levels more important now?

Absolutely. Level 1 RFEs and denials are skyrocketing.

13. Does social media affect my H-1B approval?

Yes. Inconsistencies, political posts, or job-title differences may cause issues.

14. How does JD Vance influence immigration rules?

He strongly supports reducing skilled immigration and H-1B usage.

15. What does Project 2025 say about H-1B?

It calls for restricting H-1B numbers and raising wage requirements.

16. How does an H-1B worker create U.S. jobs?

Studies show each H-1B generates 2–5 additional American jobs.

17. Do H-1Bs increase or decrease American wages?

Increase. High-skill immigration boosts productivity, which raises wages.

18. Are immigrants responsible for a large share of U.S. patents?

Yes—over 25%.

19. Do immigrants start a lot of businesses?

Yes—twice the rate of U.S.-born founders.

20. What industries rely most on immigrant innovation?

AI, semiconductors, biotech, aerospace, cybersecurity, medical research.

21. Can H-1B workers be laid off more easily?

Yes. Employers face fewer incentives to retain them.

22. How much time do I have after an H-1B job loss?

60 days, but this may shrink under new rules.

23. Should H-1B families prepare emergency plans?

Yes. Many now maintain documents, savings, and contingency travel plans.

24. Will the green card backlog get worse?

Likely, due to reduced processing and higher scrutiny.

25. Are PERM denials increasing?

Yes—especially for remote/hybrid positions.

26. Can H-1B workers apply for asylum?

Yes, but only under qualifying fear-of-persecution grounds.

27. Are international students at risk under these policies?

Yes—especially if transitioning from OPT to H-1B.

28. Should my employer hire an immigration attorney?

Highly recommended. Errors carry high liability.

29. Does Herman Legal Group handle complex RFEs?

Yes—extensive experience with specialty occupation, wage level, and employer-employee issues.

30. Does this crackdown affect Canadians on TN visas?

Not directly, but related enforcement overlaps may apply.

31. Will this affect EB-2/EB-3 PERM filings?

Yes—higher audits, more scrutiny of business necessity.

32. How does this affect international medical graduates?

Severely—J-1 waivers, H-1Bs, and residency positions are under increased pressure.

33. Should I avoid job changes until after I-140 approval?

Yes—job mobility is most stable after I-140 approval.

34. Can H-1Bs be arrested at USCIS interviews?

Only in cases involving fraud, criminal issues, or removal orders.

35. How long will these policies last?

Likely 3–4 years unless reversed by court or new administration.

36. What is FDNS?

Fraud Detection and National Security—now much more aggressive.

37. How does this affect spouses waiting for green cards?

Processing delays, RFEs, and interviews may increase.

38. Can H-4 spouses start businesses?

Only if they have a valid EAD.

39. Are Ohio USCIS field offices slower?

Yes—Cleveland and Columbus are seeing extended processing times.

40. What is the main risk for employers?

Accidental noncompliance → fines, investigations, or liability.

41. Should employers still sponsor H-1Bs?

Yes—but with professional legal guidance.

42. Should H-1B workers retain immigration attorneys?

Absolutely—2026 is a high-risk adjudication environment.

43. Are appeals (MTR/I-290B) effective in 2026?

Yes—HLG has successfully reversed many denials.

44. Can H-1B workers be deported quickly?

Yes—status loss can trigger removal proceedings.

45. What should families do now?

Prepare documentation, maintain savings, get legal review, and consider backup plans.

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

HERMAN LEGAL GROUP

H-1B & Employment-Based Immigration

• H-1B Visa Requirements
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/h1b-visa-requirements/
• How to Respond to an H-1B RFE
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/request-for-evidence-h1b/
• H-1B Employer Compliance Guide
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/h-1b-visa-guide-for-employers/
• H-1B $100,000 Fee & Project 2025 Analysis
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/h1b-100000-fee-november-2025-project-2025-war-on-h1b/

F-1 / OPT / STEM OPT

• F-1 Visa Denial or Revocation Guide
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/f1-visa-denial/

Schedule a Consultation

• Book a Consultation with Richard T. Herman
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

Ohio Local Pages (GEO-Optimized)

• Cleveland Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-cleveland-ohio/
• Columbus Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-columbus-ohio/
• Cincinnati Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-cincinnati-ohio/
• Dayton Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-dayton-ohio/
• Akron Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-akron-ohio/
• Toledo Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-toledo-ohio/
• Youngstown Immigration Lawyer
  https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/immigration-lawyer-youngstown-ohio/

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESOURCES (Verified)

• USCIS H-1B Specialty Occupations
  https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations
• DOL H-1B Program (Wage, LCA, Compliance)
  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/immigration/h1b
• Federal Register (Official Rulemaking)
  https://www.federalregister.gov/
• ICE Worksite Enforcement
  https://www.ice.gov/factsheets/i9-inspection
• Department of State Visa Information
  https://travel.state.gov/

ECONOMIC, RESEARCH, AND POLICY STUDIES (Verified)

Innovation, Patents & Entrepreneurship

• Immigrant Patents & Innovation — ITIF
  https://itif.org/publications/2025/01/13/h1b-visa-workers-contribute-number-issued-patents-united-states/
• Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the U.S. — NBER
  https://www.nber.org/be/20242/immigrant-entrepreneurship-us
• Immigrant Founders of U.S. Billion-Dollar Startups — NFAP
  https://nfap.com/research/new-nfap-policy-brief-immigrant-entrepreneurs-and-u-s-billion-dollar-companies/

Job Multiplier Effect & H-1B Impact

• High-Tech Job Creation Multiplier — ITIC
  https://www.itic.org/news-events/techwonk-blog/new-study-reaffirms-the-job-creating-potential-of-h1b-expansion
• Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond — H-1B Economic Impact
  https://www.richmondfed.org/publications/research/economic_brief/2025/eb_25-39

Policy Analysis

• NAFSA: Immigration and International Education Policy
  https://www.nafsa.org
• American Immigration Council — H-1B Program & Economy
  https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org

MEDIA SOURCES 

• Reuters Immigration Coverage
  https://www.reuters.com
• Bloomberg Immigration & Labor Market Coverage
  https://www.bloomberg.com
• Forbes Immigration Analysis
  https://www.forbes.com/immigration/

NATIONAL LAW FIRMS

• Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP
  https://www.fragomen.com
• Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL)
  https://www.bal.com
• Seyfarth Shaw LLP — Immigration Practice
  https://www.seyfarth.com
• Murthy Law Firm
  https://www.murthy.com
• Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners PLLC
  https://cyrusmehta.com/

We Can Help

Your immigration status, your family’s stability, your career, and your future in the United States deserve protection—especially in a year of the most dramatic changes to skilled immigration in decades.

For 30+ years, Richard T. Herman and the Herman Legal Group have helped tens of thousands of immigrants navigate:

• H-1B crises
• Denials and NOIDs
• Difficult RFEs
• Employer compliance issues
• H-4 and dependent spouse challenges
• Status loss and emergency filings
• Complex green card pathways
• Deportation and removal risks

Book a confidential consultation today:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

You are not alone.
Strong guidance now can protect everything you’ve built.

More H1B Resources From Herman Legal Group

• Next Trump H1B Rule: Beyond the Fee — Inside the Structural Re-Engineering of America’s High-Skill Visa Program

• Trump Proposed Rule Targeting Employment Green Cards

• Mass Worksite Enforcement Immigration Surges in 2025

• Lawsuit Against Trump H1B Fee $100000: Challenging the Increase

• How to Prepare for Increase Site Visit: OPT & CPT Students

• How Prepare For USCIS Site Visit — Whether You Are an Employee or Employer

• Trump’s War on H-1B in 2025-2026: A Comprehensive Analysis

• DOL Project Firewall: Trump’s War on H1B Heats Up

• Trump’s H-1B Entry Ban & $100,000: President’s New Fee Requirement and What You Need to Know

• Economic Impact of Trump H1B $100000 Filing Fee: Analyzing the New Policy

• Trump Proposes New H1B Rule Favoring Highly Skilled, Highly Paid in 2026

• Top Questions Trump $100,000 H1B Fee: 10 Answers (and Unanswered)

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Authoritative U.S. Government Resources

1. Core Agencies and Policy Hubs

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — Central authority for H-1B petitions, policy updates, and case-status tools.

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — Oversees immigration enforcement and national policy frameworks under which USCIS operates.

• Department of Labor (DOL) — Manages Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) and prevailing-wage determinations.

• U.S. Department of State (DOS) — Handles H-1B visa issuance at U.S. embassies and consulates.

• Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) — Tracks regulatory agendas and pending immigration rulemakings.

• White House – Presidential Actions — Official source for proclamations, including the September 2025 H-1B fee order.

• Federal Register — Daily record of proposed and final rules affecting visa policy.

2. Key USCIS Pages for H-1B Practitioners

• H-1B Specialty Occupations Overview

• FY 2026 H-1B Cap Season Updates

• H-1B Electronic Registration System

• USCIS Processing Times Tool

• USCIS Policy Manual – Employment-Based Nonimmigrants

• Forms I-129, I-539, I-765, and I-907 — Primary H-1B, H-4, EAD, and premium-processing forms.

• USCIS Newsroom – Alerts & Updates — Press releases and emergency fee notices.

3. Department of Labor (DOL) Resources

• Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) — Portal for filing LCAs and PERM applications.

• Foreign Labor Certification Data Center — Source for prevailing-wage data and LCA statistics.

• H-1B Program Compliance — Wage obligations, penalties, and public-access-file guidance.

• Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) — Program policy, forms, and audit processes.

• Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Enforcement Data — Audits and violations affecting H-1B employers.

4. Department of State (DOS) & Consular Affairs

• Consular H-1B Visa Application Guidance

• U.S. Embassy and Consulate Directory

• Visa Bulletin — Employment-based priority-date movement and backlog data.

• Reciprocity and Fee Tables — Country-specific fee information.

5. Federal Data, Oversight, and Analysis Sources

• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) – Immigration Reports

• Congressional Research Service (CRS) – H-1B Briefs

• Department of Commerce – STEM Workforce Reports

• Office of Inspector General (OIG) – DHS Audits — Oversight of USCIS adjudications and fraud prevention.

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Cost Analyses — Fee-rule cost-benefit analyses.

Professional Associations and Advocacy Groups

1. Legal and Practitioner Organizations

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) — National professional body providing practice updates, litigation alerts, and advocacy.

• Federal Bar Association Immigration Law Section — Continuing-education and legislative tracking.

• American Bar Association – Immigration Commission — Policy and ethics resources.

2. Employer, Industry, and Tech Coalitions

• ITServe Alliance — Represents IT staffing and consulting firms; active in litigation over third-party placement rules.

• Compete America — Coalition advocating for high-skilled immigration reform.

• TechNet — Policy network of technology executives monitoring H-1B and STEM-talent rules.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Global Migration Coalition — Engages in litigation and lobbying over visa restrictions.

• National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) — Research organization publishing data-driven H-1B policy analyses.

3. Higher Education & Research Associations

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators — Advises schools and international students on F-1 to H-1B transitions.

• Association of American Universities (AAU) — Research-university advocacy on immigration and STEM workforce issues.

• Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) — Reports on international enrollment and post-study work pathways.

• Educause — Guidance on compliance for university-affiliated tech professionals and researchers.

4. Policy Think Tanks & Research Institutes

• Migration Policy Institute (MPI) — Independent analysis of employment-based immigration reforms.

• Brookings Institution – Immigration Studies

• Cato Institute – Center for Global Liberty & Prosperity

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) – Workforce & Technology

Litigation, Transparency, and Compliance Tools

• PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) — Federal court filings for ongoing H-1B and APA litigation.

• FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Portal — File or track FOIA requests across USCIS, DOL, or DOS.

• U.S. Courts Opinions Archive — Published immigration and employment-based visa decisions.

• EEOC – National Origin Discrimination Guidance — Enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in recruitment of foreign workers.

Economic & Workforce Data Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Wage data used for H-1B prevailing-wage calculations.

• U.S. Census Bureau – ACS Data — Demographic and occupational data on immigrant professionals.

• National Science Foundation (NSF) – Science & Engineering Indicators — STEM workforce trends and visa dependency metrics.

• SelectUSA – Workforce Reports — Investment-and-talent mobility data relevant to visa-based hiring.

Monitoring 2025–2026 Rulemaking and Policy Developments

• Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions — Track H-1B-related entries from DHS, DOL, and DOS.

• Regulations.gov — Comment portal for proposed rules (e.g., H-1B wage-based selection or fee adjustments).

• OIRA Regulatory Review Dashboard — Lists pending immigration rules under review.

• Congress.gov – Immigration Bills Tracker — Legislative proposals related to H-1B and employment-based visas.

• Federal Register – DHS/DOL Joint Notices — Proposed and final H-1B rules.

International and Comparative References

• Government of Canada – Global Skills Strategy

• UK Home Office – Skilled Worker Visa

• Australia Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Migration