New DOL Project Firewall is "rebuilding our workforce and ensuring American Jobs go to AMERICANS FIRST!" Nice to know this while our jobs are being sent overseas.
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Following a presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided updated guidance on the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. The fee does not apply to individuals already in the United States on a valid visa, including F-1 student visa holders, L-1 intra-company transferees, and existing H-1B visa holders seeking renewals, extensions, or amendments.
For employers, this means they do not have to pay the new $100,000 fee for:
- An H-1B employee who is already in the U.S. and needs a renewal or extension of their stay.
- An H-1B employee who is already in the U.S. and is changing jobs to a new employer.
- An international student on an F-1 visa who is already in the U.S. and is applying for a change of status to an H-1B visa.
- An employee with a valid H-1B visa who travels abroad and re-enters the U.S..
Clarification vs. initial reporting
This official clarification from the White House and USCIS contradicted initial statements made by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. On September 19, Lutnick told reporters that the $100,000 fee would be an annual payment applying to all H-1B visa holders, including existing ones. His comments received widespread media attention and social media traction. However, the subsequent official guidance from immigration agencies did not receive the same level of coverage, leading to continued confusion for many. The fee is actually a one-time payment for specific new petitions.
The vast majority of H-1B workers already in the US, including those with approved petitions for change of status, extensions, and renewals are unaffected by the new fee.
@cb I’m sorry you think my feelings are hurt or that I have assumptions about a particular ethnic group. I’m merely pointing out the lip service this administration pays to “Americans First” and American jobs. They impose tariffs on goods but are silent as American jobs are lost and moved to lower cost geographies in the name of $money to the top. And we know what really trickles down.
While Project Firewall is one of the most aggressive H-1B enforcement efforts in recent memory, it’s narrowly focused on the H-1B program itself. That means the actual impact on Chevron is pretty minor, just a more paperwork and checks to prove we’re playing by the rules, both in spirit and in letter. And let’s be real, we thrive on useless paperwork
Sorry, @OP, but it’s business as usual. No dramatic shake-up in employee demographics is coming, no matter how hard you were crossing your fingers. Why? Because there just aren’t that many H-1B employees at Chevron. According to public data, Chevron filed only 12 H-1B Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025. From 2022 to 2024, the grand total was 121 LCAs.
And here’s the kicker... those H-1B folks? They might not be the ethnic group you were imagining, and they’re probably making more money than you. Yeah, the only thing they’re undercutting… is your feelings.
@bp baby steps
What's interesting is "project firewall" is focused on keeping H1B's out, not keeping jobs within the US. I guess you can give them a participation trophy for trying, but until they focus on keeping jobs from being shipped out.... it's a nothing burger.
You still believe he cares about you?