Liccardo & Obernolte Lead Bipartisan Effort to Keep Innovation in America

Prior to Trump’s proclamation, employers paid between $2,000 and $5,000 per H-1B visa application. The bipartisan group of lawmakers warns that increasing the fee to $100,000 harms start-up and early-stage companies vital for America’s economic growth and drives high-skilled innovators overseas.  

“If U.S. companies cannot access needed talent, those same workers will return home to India, China, Israel, or Europe to launch companies that compete directly against U.S. firms,” the letter reads. “[The H-1B] program has played an important role in sustaining America’s technological leadership.” 

“The CEOs of companies like Google, Microsoft, Tesla, and Zoom relied on H-1B visas to contribute to America’s leadership in innovation,” said Liccardo. “We can all agree that the visa system needs reform, but this $100,000 fee disproportionately harms small startups that depend on specialized expertise to survive and grow. America cannot win the 21st century by bleeding the next generation of entrepreneurs to our competitors.” 

“America’s ability to lead the world in innovation depends on ensuring that startups and small businesses have access to the talent they need to grow,” said Obernolte. “When we make it harder for them to compete, we risk sending the next generation of groundbreaking ideas overseas. We need to create an environment where entrepreneurs can build, hire, and expand right here in the United States.”